The sound of the bell echoes through the air...

Reputedly the largest and most stunning waterfall in southern Thailand, this hidden gem lies nestled deep within the lush forests bordering Ranong and Surat Thani provinces.

Upon hearing the name for the first time, we were intrigued by the waterfall's sweet-sounding moniker, suggesting its exceptional beauty. Our expectations were surpassed upon witnessing its grandeur. The origin of the name lies in the phenomenon that occurs when the cascading water collides with the rocks below, creating a mist that rises and forms a rainbow at the base of the waterfall. This captivating spectacle is likely the inspiration behind the name.

Let's take one more look before we go.

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Rainbow Waterfall, also known as La-ong Dao Waterfall, is located in Ban Na Subdistrict, Kapoe District, Ranong Province. It is part of the Klong Na Ka Wildlife Sanctuary. To visit the waterfall, please contact the officers at the Chiew Liang Forest Protection Unit.

Here is a brief summary of the information.

For those traveling by private car, you can drive directly to the Chiew Larn Wildlife Sanctuary in Ban Na Subdistrict, Kapoe District, Ranong Province. As for public transportation, I honestly don't know. Haha.

Brutal Beauty: Hiking to Ton Kloi Waterfall

The trail to Ton Kloi Waterfall starts with a gentle incline, following a stream that you'll need to cross repeatedly. Be prepared to get wet, so pack waterproof bags or zip-lock pouches for your belongings. The water level can vary depending on recent rainfall, as Ranong experiences unpredictable weather patterns. For safety reasons, it's highly recommended to have a guide or park ranger accompany you.

The path from the campsite to the waterfall is significantly steeper, but thankfully, you won't be carrying your backpack. Leeches may be present, so be prepared for their unwelcome presence.

Food and water are available at the campsite, where you can cook over an open fire. Water is also available for refilling along the trail.

The camp is located near a water source. You can sleep in either a hammock or a tent, but sleeping in a hammock is more comfortable, especially if it rains.

Highlights of this place:

• The waterfall here lives up to its name with a stunning rainbow.
• It's an adventurous hike with a mix of trekking, wading, swimming, sleeping in a hammock by the water, and cooking by the river.

Let's get started.

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It's time to hit the road! For this trip, we rented a van so we could sleep all night long. We left Bangkok at midnight and headed straight to the "Kaper Fresh Market, also known as the Upper Market." We arrived around 8:00 AM to stock up on supplies and fresh food. You can find trekking poles here if you need them. After that, we continued on to the Chiew Liang Ranger Station to meet with the park rangers and take a truck to the starting point.

We then boarded a vehicle to reach the starting point of our trek.

A 10-20 minute car ride brought us to the starting point of our walk.

Crossing this weir means entering the actual forest area.

Let's go!

A short, leisurely stroll on this flat, smooth path will only last a few steps. What happens next, we shall see.

There are both studs

Both going down the stairs and going down the stairs

The water starts to get deep a short distance ahead.

The officer said that if you look closely at this spot, it looks like a naga.

At first glance, they appear quite similar.

During our time in the forest, we saw nothing but large trees. One of them was particularly enormous, likely requiring 10 people to encircle it.

Most of the time, we walk through water and cross streams frequently.

At first, it was just the feet, then it reached the knees, and after a while, it was up to the waist.

Taking a break from the tiring walk to capture the beauty of nature.

Crossed the water again, huh?

Be careful not to slip when walking, as the rocks are slippery when wet. I fell many times.

Wading through the water is refreshing.

This trip involves approximately 80% water activities.

I would love to soak in this water for a while. It looks so inviting.

Let's take a break here for a bit.

Beautiful mushrooms at the base of the tree

We crossed the water so many times that we lost count. It was the same stream, but we had to cross it back and forth along the path we could walk.

After a four-hour trek, covering approximately nine kilometers, we finally reached the campsite. The journey involved several water crossings and slippery paths, necessitating a cautious approach.

A large number of hammocks were set up. Photo credit: fellow traveler.

Evening camp, let's climb the waterfall again tomorrow morning. Now I want to soak in the water.

Despite carrying two chickens, I didn't realize how heavy they were until I picked them up. After carrying them for a while, they started to feel really heavy, weighing around 3 kilograms. Today, we're taking a break, eating together, and relaxing before continuing our journey tomorrow.
Credit: Fellow travelers

The water is teeming with fish in the early morning hours.

Waking up early, we wash our faces, brush our teeth, and have a light breakfast. We will then hurry up to the waterfall and come back down for lunch. It takes a while to get from the camp to the waterfall because it is quite steep. In some sections, we need to climb ropes for safety.

Pitch and pitch and pitch and pitch

I came across a conveniently sized log and decided to rest for a bit.

After a long walk, we finally arrived at the magnificent waterfall.

A rainbow of stardust, hidden deep within the forest.

We believe it is as large and beautiful as any other place in the south.

The journey to a beautiful destination is often filled with memorable adventures. This trip was no exception, with frequent stumbles and a near-drowning camera. Despite the mishaps, the experience was well worth it, as evidenced by the stunning photos captured along the way.

After enjoying a refreshing swim, it was time to bid farewell to the forest. We descended to have lunch, packed our belongings, and embarked on our journey back.

"Remember, whenever we step into the forest, it's a place for nature and wildlife. What we bring in, we must take out. This way, we can ensure the continued beauty of our natural world."

On the way back, we stopped to play in the water again. We noticed a very large toad clinging to a rock in the middle of the stream. When we first saw it, we were startled. The locals call it a "gong," a large toad. If it had jumped on us while we were playing in the water, we would have probably scattered in all directions.

The little dog at the unit saw us off home. It may not have looked very welcoming, but it was friendly. ... See you on the next trip soon! Bye-bye, woof woof!

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