Pam Bok Waterfall is well-placed near Pai and it’s easily visited and ticked off of the list. It can also be paired with the famous Bamboo Bridge for a bit of a long day out.
Not the most impressive falls in itself, but the surrounding canyon is fairly cool and if you hit this place early in the day then you’ll get to explore it all by yourself.
Quick Facts about Pam Bok Waterfall, Pai
- Distance: Less than 1km
- Time from Pai: Less than 10 minute drive
- Time needed: Less than 1 hour
- Best travel time: Early morning to avoid crowds
- Difficulty: Small amount of steps to the falls
- Waterfall height: Not super tall
- Cost: 200 baht (More on this below)
High Points of the Pam Bok Waterfall Pai
- Easy to reach from Pai
- Cool canyon/valley it’s situated in
- Deep enough for a good swim
Low Points of the Pam Bok Waterfall Pai
- 200 baht entrance fee
- Can get busy, and feel busy as the bowl where the waterfalls is, is quite small
How to get to the Pam Bok Waterfall Pai
Super easy to get to if you’re staying in central, Pai. Only a short drive south and out of the village and you’re there.
If you’re heading to the waterfalls, I’d suggest you do the Bamboo Bridge in Pambok at the same time as it’s only a little further up the road.
Head south on 1095 for a few KM’s.
Keep an eye out for a right turn, and you’ll see the blue signs for the waterfall prominently displayed.
Then just follow the road up, through the twists and turns, and then the waterfall is on the right after the small bridge.
The hike itself needs no explanation as once you’ve paid at the ticket booth it’s straight up some stairs, over a small bridge and then down some more stairs and you’re more or less at the base of the waterfall.
Make sure you come here early as you’ll most likely have the spot to yourself. Leave it to later in the day and you’ll have others joining you in the tight canyon.
My Experience of the Pam Bok Waterfall hike in Pai
To be honest, the 200 baht was a bit of a shock. Especially given the size of the waterfall and the lack of a hike. Even more so when the likes of Mae Yen Waterfall are totally free and a lot more impressive both hiking and the falls themselves.
However, that being said. Once I realise that the ticket is your entrance fee for the Lum Nai Pai Wildlife Sanctuary and the ticket actually gets you into everything inside of that, it’s not so bad.
With that said, make sure you visit Sai Ngam hot springs so that the cost is essentially 100 baht per attraction! You can also visit Mo Pang waterfall on the way to the hot springs from Pambok and complete a full adventure day in Pai!
Pambok waterfall is nice. It’s in a cool, shaded area and the water is deep enough for a swim. It’s an impressive little canyon and the falls themselves are actually quite impressive. That said, they’re not the most impressive so definitely don’t come out of your way to visit this falls.
Here’s what I would do:
– Visit Pai Canyon for Sunrise
– Head to the Khu Ko So bamboo bridge for a little wander
– Hit Pambok Waterfall
– Grab Breakfast/Coffee in Pai (Om Garden is good)
– Head to Mo Pang waterfalls
– Drive through to Sai Ngam hot springs
– If you’ve still got gas in the tank, head further North to Nam Lod caves (AMAZING).
– Drive home whilst the sun is setting
That would be an absolutely unreal adventure day in Pai, and you’d tick off many awesome things with one ticket!
If you’ve any questions about the Pam Bok waterfall, then drop them in the comments below and I’ll be happy to help.
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