Namtok Boriphat Forest Park

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.00 – 17.00

 

Namtok Boriphat Forest Park in Songkhla Province is a compact and accessible waterfall destination in Rattaphum District, suitable for relaxing, swimming, and experiencing the humid evergreen forest of the Banthat mountain range. The waterfall is located in Tambon Khao Phra, Rattaphum District, about 52 kilometers from Songkhla town. Travelers can reach it via Highway 406 between kilometer markers 35 and 36, then follow the side road for about 800 meters to the waterfall area. Its main appeal is straightforward: a small year-round waterfall, shaded forest surroundings, natural pools, and easy access for a short nature trip.

 

Namtok Boriphat is different from larger waterfalls that require strenuous trekking. Visitors can reach the lower level with relative ease, making it suitable for families, groups of friends, casual travelers, and those who want a refreshing forest stop between Songkhla, Hat Yai, Rattaphum, and Satun. The setting includes mature trees, flowing water, natural rocks, and a shaded streamside atmosphere that feels cool and calm even during warm weather.

 

The waterfall is fed by forest streams from the Banthat mountain range, locally known as Khao Kaeo. Water flows down the slope through rocks and natural basins, forming a series of small cascades and pools. The streamside forest is humid evergreen forest, with tall trees, shrubs, ferns, and ground vegetation helping to retain moisture and protect the watershed. This ecological setting allows Boriphat Waterfall to flow throughout the year, although the volume changes with the season.

 

The lower pool is the most popular area for visitors. It is accessible, shaded, and suitable for cooling off in natural water. Travelers can sit on the rocks, enjoy the stream, take photographs, or spend quiet time with family near the main access area. The waterfall is especially suitable for those who want nature without a difficult route or long walk.

 

From the lower area, visitors can walk up along stone steps beside the hillside to reach higher sections of the waterfall. The lower and middle sections are easier to access because there are developed paths and steps, while the upper sections require more caution. Wet rocks, uneven surfaces, and steeper terrain make proper footwear important. Visitors who continue beyond the clear walkway should avoid going alone and should not climb during heavy rain or when the rocks are very slippery.

 

The upper sections include smaller natural pools where visitors can rest and enjoy the forest atmosphere. Walking upward reveals different forms of the waterfall: broad rock surfaces, narrow channels between boulders, and small cascades where sunlight and wind create fine water spray. Although Boriphat is not a large waterfall, its layered terrain gives it several scenic points within a relatively compact area.

 

One of the commonly mentioned highlights is Ton Lan Sai, a middle-level section with a natural pool and water running through rock channels. When sunlight reaches the water and wind passes through the forest, the spray can create a pleasant, photogenic atmosphere. This area is suitable for resting and photography, but visitors should be careful on wet rocks and avoid strong-current areas.

 

The name “Boriphat” has an important local history. The waterfall was formerly known as Khlong Lam Rian Waterfall. Between 1926 and 1928, Field Marshal Prince Boriphat Sukhumphan, Prince of Nakhon Sawan, traveled on official duty from Songkhla toward Satun and stopped to rest at this waterfall. He inscribed the name “Boriphat” on the cliff, and the former Khlong Lam Rian Waterfall has since been known as Namtok Boriphat.

 

This history gives the place more meaning than a simple swimming spot. The name connects the waterfall with older travel routes between Songkhla and Satun and with local memory in Rattaphum District. Visitors can therefore appreciate the site both as a natural attraction and as a small but distinctive part of Songkhla’s local history.

 

The physical environment around Namtok Boriphat consists of complex mountain terrain, granite rock, and humid evergreen forest. Important plants in the area include yang, lumpho, takhian thong, takhian hin, kabak, wild mango, champa pa, banyan, sataw, and other forest species. These plants provide shade, wildlife food, soil protection, and ecological support for the watershed around the waterfall.

 

The surrounding forest is also part of the wider Ton Nga Chang Wildlife Sanctuary landscape. Wildlife associated with this ecosystem includes elephants, tapirs, serows, barking deer, mouse deer, civets, bats, squirrels, gibbons, macaques, langurs, and forest birds such as pheasants, junglefowl, and hornbills. Visitors are unlikely to see large wildlife during a short waterfall visit, but the area should still be treated as real wildlife habitat. Quiet behavior and respect for marked paths are essential.

 

Namtok Boriphat is important not only for scenery but also for conservation, recreation, and environmental learning. The forest, stream, waterfall, plants, and wildlife are connected as a watershed ecosystem. Keeping the area clean, quiet, and undisturbed helps preserve both the visitor experience and the ecological value of the site.

 

The strongest water flow is generally during October to December, when the forest is green and the waterfall feels especially fresh. From June to September, fruit season in southern Thailand adds another attraction to the route, with local fruits such as rambutan, durian, mangosteen, champedak, and longkong often sold along the way. A visit to the waterfall can therefore be combined with a local food and fruit experience in Rattaphum.

 

For swimming, the best time is a day when the water is clear, the current is not strong, and there has been no heavy rain. Even though the waterfall flows year-round, conditions can change quickly during rainy weather. If the water becomes cloudy, the current becomes strong, or heavy rain occurs upstream, visitors should leave the water immediately and follow staff instructions.

 

Facilities in the area include a parking area, walking paths, a bridge, interpretive signs, and a service center for visitors with disabilities. The site works well for a half-day visit or a refreshing stop along the Songkhla–Satun travel route. Visitors can swim, rest, take photos, and walk through the lower sections without needing heavy trekking equipment.

 

Still, Namtok Boriphat remains a natural waterfall area, not a commercial water park. Travelers should bring practical items such as a change of clothes, towel, waterproof bag, drinking water, sandals for wet areas, and shoes with grip for walking on stone steps. Preparing properly makes the visit easier and reduces impact on the natural environment.

 

Important rules include not littering, not collecting plants, not catching animals, not removing stones or natural objects, not writing on rocks or structures, and not making excessive noise. The forest park is maintained for recreation and environmental learning, and respectful behavior helps keep the waterfall clean, safe, and pleasant for future visitors.

 

Families with children should stay around the lower pool and accessible areas. Children should not swim alone, even where the water appears shallow, because rocks can be slippery and water conditions can change. Parents should choose calm-water areas and avoid taking children to upper sections that require climbing.

 

For photographers, Namtok Boriphat offers several useful angles: the entrance area, lower stream, clear natural pools, boulders, stone steps, evergreen plants, and water flowing through rock channels. Morning is best for softer light and a quieter atmosphere. In the afternoon, shaded areas are more comfortable, but moisture and water spray can affect cameras and phones, so waterproof protection is useful.

 

A half-day itinerary can begin from Hat Yai or Songkhla in the morning, with 2 to 3 hours at Namtok Boriphat for swimming and relaxation. Afterward, travelers can continue to local restaurants in Rattaphum or nearby attractions such as Namtok Ton Nga Chang, Namtok Ton Plew, Khao Khuha, or agricultural attractions in the district. This route suits travelers who want a light nature trip without a demanding hike.

 

A full-day route can start at Namtok Boriphat, continue to nearby waterfalls or sites in the Ton Nga Chang Wildlife Sanctuary landscape, then include local food in Rattaphum and a café or streamside stop in the afternoon. A full-day trip gives a broader view of Rattaphum: forest, waterfalls, mountains, fruit orchards, local food, and rural scenery.

 

Getting There is easiest by private car or rental car. From Songkhla town, take Highway 406 toward Rattaphum. The waterfall is between kilometer markers 35 and 36, with an access road of about 800 meters from the highway. From Hat Yai, connect to Rattaphum and continue toward Yantrakan Kamthon Road. The route is generally convenient, but drivers should be careful during rain and on wet roads.

 

Travelers who are not familiar with the area should set the destination as Namtok Boriphat, Tambon Khao Phra, Rattaphum District, and check the route before departure. The entrance is near the highway kilometer markers, so it is easy to miss if driving quickly. Leaving in the morning gives more time for swimming, walking, photography, and resting in the forest atmosphere.

 

Compared with the more famous Namtok Ton Nga Chang, Namtok Boriphat is smaller, calmer, and more suited to simple relaxation. Its strengths are easy access, natural pools, lower-level walking paths, and its position on a route that connects with other nature attractions in Rattaphum and Satun. It is a practical choice for travelers who want a green nature stop without complex planning.

 

Namtok Boriphat is also useful for basic environmental learning. Visitors can observe a complete waterfall ecosystem: watershed forest, stream, rocks, riparian plants, pools, and small wildlife. Slow observation helps visitors understand that a waterfall is not only a place to swim; it depends on healthy forest upstream.

 

For food planning, travelers can bring light snacks and drinking water or stop for a meal in Rattaphum after the waterfall visit. The district has southern Thai food, noodles, khanom chin, cafés, and streamside restaurants. Eating locally makes the trip more complete and supports communities around the waterfall route.

 

For overnight travel, Namtok Boriphat is more commonly visited as a day-trip destination, but Rattaphum and nearby areas have small resorts, homestays, and hotels for travelers who want to combine several places, such as Namtok Boriphat, Namtok Ton Plew, Namtok Ton Nga Chang, Khao Khuha, and agricultural attractions. Accommodation should be chosen according to the next day’s route to reduce travel time.

 

Overall, Namtok Boriphat Forest Park is a suitable destination for travelers seeking an easy, refreshing, and forest-based nature experience in Songkhla. Its key strengths are year-round water flow, natural pools, stone steps along the hillside, an interesting name history connected with Prince Boriphat Sukhumphan, and good access to other attractions in Rattaphum. With safe timing, simple preparation, and respect for nature, Boriphat Waterfall offers a calm and meaningful glimpse of Songkhla’s watershed forest.

 

 

A: Namtok Boriphat Forest Park is located at Moo 10, Ban Khao Soi Dao, Tambon Khao Phra, Rattaphum District, Songkhla Province, about 52 km from Songkhla town.

 

A: Yes. The lower pool is suitable for swimming and relaxing, but visitors should avoid entering the water during heavy rain, cloudy water, or strong currents.

 

A: Yes. The waterfall flows throughout the year, with the strongest and freshest flow generally from October to December.

 

A: Visitors can walk up the lower and middle sections using stone steps and paths. Higher sections require more caution because of wet rocks, uneven terrain, and steeper slopes.

 

A: The waterfall was formerly called Khlong Lam Rian Waterfall. It became known as Boriphat after Prince Boriphat Sukhumphan visited and inscribed his name on the waterfall cliff.

 

A: Take Highway 406 between kilometer markers 35 and 36, then follow the access road for about 800 meters to the waterfall area.

 

A: Facilities include a parking area, walking paths, a bridge, interpretive signs, and a service center for visitors with disabilities.

 

A: Nearby attractions include Namtok Ton Nga Chang, Namtok Thara Sawan, Namtok Panan, Tham Phu Pha Phet, Namtok Ton Plew, and Khao Khuha.