Kanchanaburi: Erawan National Park has announced a temporary closure of all waterfall activities, effective September 16, 2025, following heavy rainfall in upstream areas. This has resulted in a severe flood and the occurrence of a "broken elephant's head," a natural phenomenon that occurs only during the high water season each year.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Atthaphon Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, revealed that he received a report from Ms. Kwanjai Noi Narai, Head of Erawan National Park in Kanchanaburi Province, that heavy rains are continuing to fall in the upstream area above Erawan Waterfall. This has caused rapid flooding of water at various levels of the waterfall, resulting in turbidity, rapid flow, and higher than normal water volume.
For the safety of tourists, the park has announced a total ban on waterfall swimming, effective September 16, 2025, until the situation returns to normal. Officials are on duty to closely monitor and assess the situation 24 hours a day, with warning signs posted in the area and ongoing public relations through various channels.
During times of high water levels, water flowing from the 7th level of the waterfall, the highest level of Erawan Waterfall, will carry a large amount of water down and crash against the rocks and cliffs below, creating a torrent that resembles a "broken elephant's head." This phenomenon is found during the rainy season every year.
Normally, water from the headwaters of Erawan Waterfall flows down into three distinct streams, resembling a "three-headed elephant" or "Erawan," the source of the waterfall's name. However, when the water is in large quantities and flows with great force, the streams slam into the rocks and shatter, resembling a "cracked elephant's head," becoming a beautiful and rare natural phenomenon.
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) is requesting the cooperation of the public and tourists to strictly refrain from swimming in the waterfall during this period and to closely monitor announcements from Erawan National Park to ensure everyone's safety as water levels continue to rise.