Sai Yok National Park in Kanchanaburi province is a nature-lover’s paradise, its mountainous terrain featuring forests of bamboo and teak trees, where you’ll find amazing flora and fauna, as well as a vast array of wildlife.
For an adventurous yet surprisingly serene experience, it’s possible to spend a night experiencing the park’s impressive wildlife on the Kwae Noi River aboard one of several bamboo rafts for rental, which offer a comfortable and affordable night’s stay close to nature.
Rachawanlop Raft operates four rafts, which can each accommodate up to 30 people. A night on board one of these impressive craft, built from sturdy lengths of green bamboo, offers an interesting mix of comfort and adventure. At 3,000 baht per day for the whole vessel, you quickly discover that the more people you have in a group, the cheaper it gets. So, for example, a group of six people would pay 500 baht a night each.
One you get your luggage on board, along with refreshments for use on the trip, the raft is towed to an ideal spot, surrounded by sheer cliffs close to Sai Yok Yai waterfall. We anchored up at this calm and serene spot, featuring large olive trees and creeping liana vines. This short trip takes about 20 minutes.
Wanlop Ratnoparp, the owner/operator of Rachawanlop Raft, recommends a visit during the rainy season (May-October). There’s a good chance you’ll get to enjoy a misty morning during that time of year, while the weather is fresh, and the trees a rich green color, he said.
Thailand’s recent political uncertainty has meant that Rachawanlop Raft has experienced a sharp decline in guests over the past year or so, Wanlop said, but many visitors actually prefer that there are fewer crowds so they can enjoy some peace and quiet close to nature.
 
Play it safe
Since the Kwai Noi (River Kwai) has a notoriously strong current, be careful when taking a swim. The water looks very tempting, however, and it’s always pleasant to cool down a bit with a refreshing dip.
Less confident swimmers might wish to consider wearing a life jacket or even wrapping a rope available on board the raft around their waist. This rope is long, allowing you the person wearing it to cover plenty of distance, while ensuring the current doesn’t take you too far away from the raft. There’s also a small terrace along the side of the raft, which is nevertheless ideal for sunbathing.
On board the raft, the facilities are impressive, while the bedding and linen are certainly clean and fresh. While the majority of a group renting out the raft will be sleeping “under the stars”, there’s one large separate bedroom area for couples, or those with children on board. You’ll also find two separate bathrooms toward the back of the vessel.
Strangely enough, a fairly consistent breeze ensures that you shouldn’t get bothered by mosquitoes during your stay, despite sleeping out in the open.
Nightfall seemed to arrive a bit earlier than in the city, or perhaps it was just the fact that the sense of adventure had begun to take a toll since we soon felt our eyelids start to become rather heavy.
Guests who enjoy a good sing-along might be tempted to make use of the karaoke facilities on board. There’s an extra charge for this, while regulations must be strictly adhered to.
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 Spoiled for choice
When you start feeling hungry, place an order for food via mobile phone with Wanlop about an hour before you plan to eat. The kitchen service is available during 6 am-6 pm.
This writer recommends the Khao Pad Kai (Chicken Fried Rice), which was both delicious and affordable.
Those wishing to truly “go local” during the daytime can try and flag down a long-tail boat, so as to be able to sample some noodle soup, fruits, or freshwater fish. You can even get the fish cooked on board.
This writer’s traveling companion chose to stop and buy some Kuay Tiew Nam Moo (Pork Noodle Soup) from a vendor, which turned out to be quite a bargain at just 25 baht (US$0.77) per bowl.
Easy to reach
While there’s a wide range of spectacular views, Sai Yok National Park, Thailand’s 11th national park, is relatively easy to reach from Bangkok.
Located in Kanchanburi’s amphur (districts) of Thong Pha Phum and Sai Yok, the park is easily accessible, located just 130 kilometers west of Bangkok.
Its lush greenery and rich flora, fauna, and wildlife make it the ideal destination for a short break.
Please note that the entrance fee at Sai Yok National Park is 200 baht per person (foreign tourist), or 20 baht for locals.
For further information or to make a reservation, contact Wanlop on Tel: +66 (0)81 803 1062.
Transport connections:
Car: Take Highway 4 (Phetkasem) from Bangkok through Nakhon Pathom province before getting onto Highway 323. This road will take you through Ratchaburi province past Tha Maka in Kanchanaburi province. You’ll then need to drive through the city itself, before hitting a stretch of regular road. After driving for about 80 kilometers, you’ll reach Sai Yok Noi waterfall then Sai Yok National Park.
Bus: Air-conditioned and regular buses leave Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) every 15 minutes or so. Departures began at about 5 am through until 10 pm. The journey takes between two to three hours and a single (one-way) fare is 150 baht.
Alternatively, you can take a minivan from Khaosarn Road or Victory Monument. Again, the fare is 150 baht, but the journey is slightly quicker (about two hours).
Local buses run from Kanchanaburi to Sai Yok National Park every 30 minutes and the single fare is 55 baht.
Train: Trains depart Thonburi’s Bangkok Noi Railway Station twice a day (7.45 am and 1.35 pm). A single (one-way) fare costs 100 baht and the journey takes between two-and-a-half to three hours. |
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