Wang Sai Waterfall

The abundant rain of the past few days gave me the idea to visit Wang Sai Waterfall in Mae Haad again. When I was there two years ago, it hadn't rained for weeks and the waterfall was just a thin trickle.

Before that, I of course visited my dog friend, not without bringing him some juicy bones from the local chicken grill, which he eagerly devoured. The bones cracked loudly between his strong teeth and he quickly finished everything. After thoroughly sniffing the feeding area for any leftovers, he came running towards me with an expectant look, as if asking for seconds. While stroking his head, I explained to him that I didn't have any more treats for him. He let out a hearty burp. Obviously, he enjoyed it.

After that, I made my way to my actual destination. Wang Sai Waterfall is located on the left side at the entrance of Mae Haad, where an open area with large trees and a few palm trees forms a park-like space that leads into a small mountain gorge from which the mountain stream of the waterfall flows.

The area has a naturally, harmoniously calming atmosphere and could be very attractive if it wasn't neglected. It has surely seen better times. There are a few decent bungalows scattered along the slope, but also an excavator digging up the earth. Some half-ruined huts, which might have been sales kiosks at some point, suggest that there was once a lot going on or at least planned.

The waterfall seems to consist of two different parts in my opinion. A natural one, which is further up the gorge, and an artificial one, which plunges down from high up the mountain into an artificial water basin located at the end of the open area, where the natural mountain stream flows into a small pond. It all feels like a naturally shaped theater, an open space on one side surrounded by steep slopes densely covered with large trees. This was probably a venue for big parties or was supposed to be. The large open space in the middle was probably intended as a dance floor, surrounded by a gigantic semicircular grandstand in this environment. On the other side, there is the pond with the artificial lake and the waterfall. In addition, there are also three larger huts, one of them obviously intended for the DJ, others for selling drinks, as suggested by the rusty refrigerators. I can't figure out what the impressive tree house further up, majestically towering above the area, was meant for. It reminds me of old Tarzan movies.

Someone put a lot of effort into turning this great natural place into a magnificent open-air party location. They had a vision that, unfortunately, for whatever reason, completely burst. And now the decaying remains are defacing nature.

I continue on my way to the original waterfall, up the mountain stream that trickles between mighty rocks. Yes, unfortunately it only trickles, no roaring, no rushing as I had hoped for. Nevertheless, I continue climbing the rocks towards the waterfall, about 200 meters away. Despite the rain of the past few days, the waterfall is once again just a small fall that drops vertically into the pond below. It's possible that water is being taken from the natural stream above the waterfall for the artificial waterfall, leaving almost nothing for the actual waterfall. I noticed several thick water hoses along the slope, which probably lead to the artificial waterfall. That could be an explanation.

Just behind me, a French couple set off on the rocks towards the waterfall, in their bikinis, swim trunks, and BAREFOOT. They made it up and later down safely, but not a good idea in the rather hilly terrain. They probably wanted to swim under the waterfall, but in the end they didn't, as the water was too turbid and the bottom couldn't be seen.