ERAWAN WATERFALL

Founded in 1975 as Thailands 12th National Park, it is covering an area of km². Located on West Thailand in the Tenasserim Hills of Kanchanaburi Province, it is one of the most famous national parks in Thailand.

The major attraction of the park is Erawan Falls with emerald green ponds.

Erawan Waterfall, named after the three-headed white elephant of Hindu mythology.  The top layer of the falls is said to resemble the elephant's head.

The first layer is not all that much to look at, but just a stream with a few picnic tables, which was called Ly Kung Lung (spelled Hlai Keun Lung).  The beauty really begins at the 2nd waterfall where there’s a huge pool of water to go swimming in and enjoy the refreshing falls.  Go even further and things keep getting better and better and quieter  

The 3rd level of Erawan Waterfall also provides a great opportunity for a dip,  which was called Pha Num tok (or Pha Nom Tok) and 220m from the visitor center. 

The trail is easily marked and although it becomes progressively less maintained and more rocky.

Further up the hike, the fourth Erawan Waterfall was more of a water slide. It also had a larger drop further downstream, but it was hard to see.  A person can scoot himself on the rounded rock of the waterslide before finally letting gravity take over. This falls was called Oke Nank Phee Seah.

Hiking along the trail at Erawan Waterfall, you’ll come across some interesting things in the trees, such as a number of shrines and trees wrapped in colorful cloth for the spirits, and this little head of a teddy bear that sits quietly on top of a big rock.

The 5th waterfall (called Bua Mai Long) of Erawan Waterfall is a beautifully shaded area with many little miniature falls and a gorgeous environment. Though it can get crowded, if you are able to visit before the buses of tourists arrive, you’ll be able to enjoy its pure natural beauty.

Ultimately, this fairly immersive part of the hike terminated at the sixth waterfall, which was a wide multilayers cascade with some lower layers. This waterfall was called Dong Prouck Sa.

The seventh level or layer is said to be the best level, the aqua turquoise water backed by white rocks and a gentle waterfall made for perfect scenery.  The water is very cool and refreshing!

But if you relax without moving in the water for too long, the fish will begin to attack your feet, nibbling on your toes and heels and eating your dead skin. 

Around 80% of Erawan is forest, and many of the park's various trees can be seen along three nature trails, which range from 1km to 2km. Bird-watchers try to spy hornbills, woodpeckers and parakeets from the camping areas and observation trails. Tigers, elephants, cobras and gibbons also call the park home.

Park bungalows sleep between two and 50 people. the price varies from 800B to 4000B. If you bring your own tent, there is a 30B service fee.

Buses from Kanchanaburi stop by the entrance of the Erawan waterfall (50B, 1½ hours, every 90 minutes from 8am to 5.20pm). The last bus back to Kanchanaburi is at 4pm. The entrance fee is 200 baht for foreigners and costs additional 20 baht for a motorbike. The park is easily accessible by public busses from Kanchanaburi, see our get there section for more info. Within the park, there are bicycles for rent for 20B per day.

Bare in mind that food is strictly forbidden beyond the 2nd tier. Visitors must pay a 20B fee per bottle of any drinks which can be refunded when the bottles are returned.

sources: 

• https://www.thainationalparks.com/erawan-national-park
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erawan_National_Park
• http://www.world-of-waterfalls.com/asia-erawan-waterfall.html
• http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thailand/kanchanaburi-province/erawan-national-park
• http://www.kanchanaburi-info.com/en/srisawat.html
• https://www.google.com/search?q=erawan+waterfall&espv=2&biw=1024&bih=470&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=fljAVIyIFsK58gW_4YLoBw&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ