Saiyok is the closest jungle to Kanchanaburi, Sai Yok also hosts the world's smallest mammal - the Khun Kitty Bat - and reminders of the infamous Death Railway built between Thailand and Burma during the WW II. In Saiyok, expect to see deciduous, evergreen, bamboo and teak forests in Sai Yok National Park along with lots of wildlife. You can stay within the park on campsites or in park bungalow accommodation. There are also raft houses here as well as food stalls.

History

In the past Sai Yok had been an area which King Rama V visited and bathed in. Later the Sai Yok waterfall became famous after a composer composed a song describing its beauty. The Park was created in October 1980 as the 11th national park of Thailand.

Geography and Climate

Covering 500 square km, the park is mostly limestone mountains. The average temperature is approximately 15–30 C. The weather is quite cold with heavy fog in winter and heavy rains in rainy season. It is very dry from December to February.

Flora and Fauna

Beside mixed deciduous and dry evergreen forest with bamboo forest there is also a teak forest along the Kwae river.

The fauna species include bull, red cow, tiger, wild pig, sambar deer, barking deer, occasional elephants and birds. The wildlife migrates back and forth from Thailand to Myanmar. The Khun Kitti Bat, the world smallest bat - and mammal - in the world was discovered here in 1973. The Khun Kitti Bat weighs only 2 g, is 2.5 to 3 cm long, has a wing-span of 10 cm and lives only in Sai Yok National Park caves.

Major Attractions

Sai Yok (Yai) Waterfall - the water of this waterfall, situated at the headquarters of the park, flows to Kwae Noi river

Sai Yok Noi Waterfall - bigger than Sai Yok Yai, Sai Yok Noi is easily visited by public bus - it is just off the Kanchanaburi-Sankhlaburi road

Dao Daung Cave - 100 meters long cave that is divided into eight chambers. Each chamber is named after the appearance of its main stalagmite or stalactite - a Comb Raya (Chandelier) Room, Chedi (Pagoda) Room, Jeeb Manfa (Cloud Curtain) Room etc.

Lawa Cave - stalagmite and stalactite cave 20 km south of the Sai Yok Yai

Death Railway Bridge - remains of the bridge can be reached by a 1.5 km path from the park's visitors center

For details on these and more see the Attractions page.

What to Do

Trekking routes, natural trails at headquarters (1 and 2 km long), rafting, canoeing, kayaking, caving.

There are also many golf courses in the Kanchanburi Area for your pleasure as well.

When to Go