What kind of waterfall it is
Ton Sai (น้ำตกโตนไทร) is part of the Khao Phra Thaeo reserve in northern Phuket, in Thep Krasattri sub-district of Thalang. The Phuket provincial website calls it small and suitable for a family picnic: big trees give shade all year.
The Thep Krasattri municipality (on a site dated 2016) describes a shady garden of old trees around a small waterfall: strong flow in the rains, trees at least 100 years old, the white-backed palm that is found only in Phuket, and, in its words, hundreds of bird species (DNP gives more than 100 for the whole reserve).
Opening hours and how to spend your time
We found no official hours: neither DNP nor the provincial website publishes them, so they are not confirmed as of 18 Oct 2026. TAT Newsroom wrote “8:00-17:00” for the reserve in 2014, which is old data. The DNP centre’s phone is 0 7631 1998.
- Short walk. From the gate to the waterfall you pass through a landscaped, shaded area; 1-2 hours on site with stops is enough (Thaipedia estimate)
- Picnic. The provincial website names Ton Sai as a picnic spot
- Long trail. A route leads from Ton Sai to Bang Pae: 8 km per TAT (2014), 4 km per MGR Online (2017), no official length. TAT calls the trek tough and humid, so do not set out unprepared
When to go: water season
This is a small waterfall on forest streams, and the streams depend on rain. DNP says the rainy season here runs from April to November, with about 180 days of rain a year. The provincial website notes separately that there is plenty of water in the rainy season.
| Period | What to expect |
|---|---|
| December-March | 24-82 mm a month, weak waterfall, drier trails |
| April | 135 mm, still little water |
| May-October | 237-350 mm, stronger flow, fast streams, the Centre may close the entrance on the rangers’ decision |
| November | 178 mm and 15.9 rain days, rains getting rarer |
The TMD data come from the Phuket town station in the south-east of the island (2,272 mm a year), while DNP gives 2,350-2,700 mm for the site itself, so the forest gets more rain. More in Phuket weather by month.
Getting there and how long it takes
The provincial website gives the route: follow Thep Krasattri Road towards Thalang, turn right at the main traffic light and drive 3 km; it puts the waterfall about 22 km from town. OpenStreetMap names the access road ถนนน้ำตกโตนไทร (Tonsai Waterfall Road).
| From | Distance | Time without traffic |
|---|---|---|
| Airport HKT | 16.1 km | about 20 min |
| Phuket Old Town | 22.2 km | about 26 min |
| Patong | 25.6 km | about 31 min |
| Kata | 37.0 km | about 42 min |
OSRM calculation on OpenStreetMap data, route from Old Town. We found no public transport timetable; for taxi rules see our guide to taxis in Phuket.
Fees and tickets
Ton Sai lies inside the Khao Phra Thaeo non-hunting area, not a national park, so the rate from DNP’s national park table does not apply. According to the Gibbon Centre on 18 Oct 2026, the reserve gate charges THB 200 per adult and THB 100 per child aged 3-14, cash only. We did not confirm that the same rate applies at the Ton Sai gate, and we found no official DNP document. Bring cash and confirm at the gate.
What to do in the rain
The waterfall looks best in the rain, but the risk grows with the flow. DNP says the streams on the site run fast in the rain, and the Gibbon Centre warns that rangers sometimes close the park for safety and that this is clear only in the morning. If you go in the rainy season, call 0 7631 1998 the day before and leave extra time. Keep away from the water in a downpour.
Safety
- Water. The sources say nothing about swimming at Ton Sai. Do not enter the water when the flow is strong, and do not climb above the landscaped area
- Trail. The forest is humid, and TAT recommends insect repellent, water and sturdy footwear
- Animals. Monkeys live in the reserve (DNP). Do not feed them. After a bite or scratch, wash the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes and see a doctor (WHO)
- Rainy season. Call ahead: the entrance can be closed
Children
The provincial website calls Ton Sai suitable for a family picnic. The gate fee for ages 3-14 is THB 100 (per the Gibbon Centre), and the Centre does not state a rate for under-3s. The main rule: keep children away from the water in the rainy season and close to you on the trail.
What to bring
- Cash for the reserve fee
- Insect repellent and water
- Closed shoes with grip
- A rain jacket in the rainy season
- A change of clothes if you plan to go further to the water
Who it suits and who it does not
- Suits: anyone who wants a short walk in the forest near the airport, families with children, bird and tree lovers
- Does not suit: anyone expecting a big waterfall, visitors in December-March who want water, and anyone who needs swimming and beach-style facilities
FAQ
How do I get to Ton Sai Waterfall in Phuket?
By taxi, Grab or your own transport: the waterfall is 16.1 km (about 20 minutes) from the airport, 22.2 km (26 minutes) from Old Town, 25.6 km (31 minutes) from Patong and 37 km (42 minutes) from Kata, by OSRM. The provincial website describes the route: follow Thep Krasattri Road towards Thalang, turn right at the main traffic light and drive 3 km.
How much does it cost to enter Ton Sai Waterfall?
The Gibbon Centre says the Khao Phra Thaeo gate charges THB 200 per adult and THB 100 per child aged 3-14, cash only. We did not confirm that the rate applies at the Ton Sai gate and found no official DNP document for it. DNP's national park fee table (2 June 2023) does not list the reserve.
When does Ton Sai Waterfall have water?
The provincial website says there is plenty of water in the rainy season, and the Thep Krasattri municipality says the flow is strongest in the rains. TMD normals give 237-350 mm a month from May to October and 24-82 mm from December to March, so the waterfall is weak in the dry months.
Is Ton Sai Waterfall the one on Phi Phi?
No. Tonsai is also the name of the bay on Phi Phi Don in Krabi, but Ton Sai Waterfall is in northern Phuket, in Thalang district. Look for Ton Sai Waterfall and the Thai spelling น้ำตกโตนไทร.
How is Ton Sai different from Bang Pae?
Both are small and lie in the same reserve. At Bang Pae, per the provincial website, locals swim in the pools and play in the streams, and the Gibbon Centre is there; the same site calls Ton Sai a place for a family picnic. By road it is 19.5 km and about 26 minutes from Ton Sai to Bang Pae, which are separate entrances.
Is there a trail from Ton Sai to Bang Pae?
Yes, it is written about: TAT in 2014 called the reserve's most popular trail the Bang Pae to Ton Sai route, 8 km long, while MGR Online in 2017 wrote of 4 km between the waterfalls. We found no official length, so ask the rangers or call the DNP centre on 0 7631 1998.
Can I take children to Ton Sai Waterfall?
Yes. The provincial website calls Ton Sai suitable for a family picnic, and trees give shade all year. The child gate fee for ages 3-14 is THB 100, per the Gibbon Centre. In the rainy season the streams run fast, so keep small children away from the water.
Sources
- Phuket Provincial Administration. Ton Sai Waterfall
- Thep Krasattri Subdistrict Administrative Organisation. Ton Sai Waterfall (in Thai, 2016 site)
- DNP. Khao Phra Thaeo Nature and Wildlife Study Centre
- Gibbon Rehabilitation Project. 1-Hour Learning about Gibbon Rehabilitation: gate fee
- Royal Gazette vol. 97 part 104: Khao Phra Thaeo non-hunting area (12 May 1980), DNP catalogue
- DNP. National park entrance fees for individuals (CSV, revision of 2 June 2023)
- TMD. Climatological Data of Thailand for 30 Year Period (1991-2020), Phuket station
- TAT Newsroom. Beyond Phuket's beaches, welcome to the jungle (24 Dec 2014)
- MGR Online. Bang Pae to Ton Sai trail (14 Sep 2017, in Thai)
- OpenStreetMap. Ton Sai Waterfall (node 1036882374) and OSRM routes
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