A useful guide to exploring the 5-tiered Ton Chong Fa Waterfall in the popular tourist destination of Khao Lak in Thailand.
Ton Chong Fa Waterfall, also spelled Tong Chong Fa, is a five-level waterfall located just 9 km from the main village of Khao Lak in the Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park.
Due to both the proximity of the main town and the variety of waterfalls on offer, this is one of the most popular nature spots to visit in Khao Lak. We visited many of the waterfalls in this area and this is one of my favorites because of the many tiers and scenic jungle trails.
How to Get to Ton Chong Fa Waterfall
Getting to Ton Chong Fa is fairly simple from Khao Lak. Similarly to Sai Rung Waterfall, it'll only take around 15 minutes to reach by road. The best way is to rent your own scooter and set off up the dirt road into the mountains behind Khao Lak.
From the main road, take the side road next to Khrua Khun Udom Restaurant. There is a small sign indicating the direction to the fall. Follow this for roughly 7 km up the steep mountain track. Continue until you reach the first waterfall pool.
Tip: Watch out for potholes on the steep mountain track as this road is notorious for them.
You could also hike to the falls, which will take over an hour but is well worth it. The road leading to Ton Chong Fa is lined with banana trees, local farms, and spots of dense jungle.
What to Expect at Ton Chong Fa Waterfall
Ton Chong Fa is a great set of waterfalls to visit if you want to enjoy several different cascades, a scenic jungle hike, and some small spots to swim. We visited this waterfall in the wet season, as you can see from the photos.
Although it was quite powerful, we still managed to find some safe spots for swimming. I'd suggest that you plan accordingly and don't enter any water streams that you're not comfortable with.
The Five Levels of Ton Chong Fa
While most of the waterfalls are similar in both height and power, it's still worth checking out all five tiers at this waterfall stream. All of the falls are moderate in size, and roughly 10 m for the biggest.
If you're looking to explore the different waterfalls, levels one, two, three, and four offer decent-sized swimming areas underneath the falls and are shaded. I enjoyed level one as this had the largest area for swimming.
Unfortunately, most of these pools were full of wood and jungle debris from the monsoon storms when I was visiting. However, I was still able to find a small pool that offered a refreshing cool down after a morning of Muay Thai Training.
Getting to the top level will only take 20 or so minutes of walking and requires a medium level of fitness. However, you can easily spend a day checking out the multiple levels as you stop by each one.
I suggest wearing comfortable shoes as climbing up and down from the falls can be slippery and steep in some sections.
Different Seasons at Ton Chong Fa
As I mentioned, power and amount of water will depend on the season.
During the monsoon months April-Opctober the water flows so hard that the waterfall is often closed due to dangerous streams. On the other hand, those visiting in drier months could find the waterfall completely dry.
The best time to visit Ton Chong Fa Waterfall is during the months of June-October. However, it all depends on the amount of rain the monsoon brings.
Entry Fee to Chong Fa Waterfall
To visit Ton Chong Fa you will need to pay a government tax of 200 THB. This is for the entry to Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park which lasts 72 hours. This allows you to also visit Lampi Waterfall, Lam Ru, or Hin Lad Waterfall.
I thought this price was particularly steep, but worth it if you're a waterfall fan as they don't get much better than this near Khao Lak.
FAQ About Visiting Ton Chong Fa
How do I get to Ton Chong Fa Waterfall from Khao Lak?
The easiest way to get to the waterfall is to rent a scooter and ride for 15 minutes from the town. However, for a longer adventure, you can hike here in just over an hour through scenic trails.
When is the best time to visit Ton Chong Fa Waterfall?
The best time to visit is between June to October when the water flow is at its peak, resulting in more impressive cascades. Visiting during the dryer months can be hit and miss as the waterfalls might not have any flow.
How much is the entrance fee to Ton Chong Fa Waterfall?
There is a government tax of 200 THB that visitors must pay, covering entry to Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park for 72 hours.
Looking for more Thailand Adventure Guides?
I hope that you've enjoyed this quick guide to one of Khao Lak's best waterfalls. While you're here, make sure to check out some of my other adventure guides to help you plan your trip to Thailand!
- 13 Best Tours in Thailand - my list of favorite bookable Thai travel experiences
- How to Plan a Trip to Thailand - read this before your first trip to Thailand
- Koh Tao Guide - my ultimate guide to Koh Tao Island after living there for three months
- 20+ Things to do in Chiang Mai - my first-time visitor's guide to Chiang Mai
- Epic Things to Do in Chiang Rai - discover the hidden gem of Northern Thailand
- 3 Day Chiang Mai itinerary - the perfect way to spend a few days in the North
- Things to do at Railay - plan your trip to Thai backpacker mecca
- Things to do in Pai - find fun and free things to do in Pai
Plan Your Thailand Accommodation
Still in the planning stages of your trip? Perhaps you're booking on the fly. The below accommodation guides will help you plan where to stay in Thailand.
