Sri Nakharin National Park

Huai Khamin Waterfall is in the Sir Nakharin National Park in Kanchanaburi Province. There is a forest and waterfall north of the Sri Nakharin Dam beside a lake. The park has lodgings for tourist.

Activities : Trekking, visiting waterfall and canoeing on the lake.

Getting there : Kanchanaburi Province is about 130 kilometres north-west of Bangkok and the dam is another 70 kilometres further on and 34 kilometres more to reach the national park office. An alternative route is on the Kanchanaburi-Erawan road passing by Phra That Huai Pumut to reach the waterfall - a diatance of 104 kilometres.

Kaeng Krachan National Park

This is the largest, and one of the most dramatic, national parks in Thailand. It is still largely unexplored. The park covers the watershed of the Phetchaburi river which is on the Tanao Sri Mountain Range with the peak at Panoen Tung mountain. On the way to Tho Thip waterfall, an ocean of fog is visible alongside the mountain range. Phetchaburi river is full of rapids and there is an abundance of wildlife. It is a paradise for bird and butterfly watchers.

Activities : Trekking, bird and butterfly watching, raft riding. The best time to go is between November and May.

Getting there : It is 123 kilometres by car on the Bangkok-Phetchaburi highway and then along highway 4 for another 20 kilometres, turning at the entrance to Kaeng Krachan and proceeding for another 38 kilometres.

Khao Yai National Park

The largest north-eastern forest covering Saraburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri abd Sra Kaeo provinces. The park's mountains are watersheds for several waterfalls. It is one of the best refuges in Thailand for animals and birds in the wild and remains the most likely spot to see wild tiger or elephant. There is a river for rafting.

Activities : Trekking, bird and butterfly watching, animal spotting (elephants and tiger), raft riding and camping.

Getting there : There are two ways to reach Khao Yai. Either by taking highway 2 to Prachin Buri and Nakhon Ratchasima and turning right at kilometres 165-166 for another 40 kilometres; or by taking highway 33 from Nakhon Nayok to Aranyaprathet for about 21 kilometres to the Noen Hom intersection and then turning onto highway 3077 for another 45 kilometres.

What to bring : A sweater in the cooler months; mosquito repellent.

Sai Yok National Park

The Sai Yok National Park encompasses the famous Kwae Noi river of Kanchanaburi province. The park is a forest with caves on the river bank. The smallest mammal in the world, Kitti's Hog-nosed Bat weighing just two grams, is found here. Sai Yok is the name of the most famous waterfall in the country.

Activities : House-boat riding on the Kwae Noi RIver, exploring caves, riding mountain bikes, elephant riding and canoeing.

Getting there : A distance of 97 kilometres on highway 323 (Kanchanaburi-Thong Phaphum) you turn right at kilometre 97 and continue for a further three kilometres.