Thailand’s Khao Yai National Park Closes Indefinitely After Flash Floods Destroy Bridge to Popular Waterfall
If Khao Yai National Park is on your Thailand itinerary, you’ll need to make other plans for now. The park is closed indefinitely after flash flooding destroyed a bridge leading to the Haew Narok Waterfall viewpoint.
Khao Yai first closed to visitors after days of heavy rain caused flash floods, landslides, fallen trees, and other problems around the park. The original closure was only supposed to last through September 27.
Then things got worse. Powerful runoff swept through the Haew Narok area overnight and completely destroyed the bridge visitors use to reach the waterfall viewpoint.
Thankfully, park officials say no tourists were injured or stranded.
The Bridge to Haew Narok Was Destroyed
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Park officials received a report about the damage around 10:30 a.m. on September 27.
Heavy rain since September 25 eventually made the current strong enough to bring down the entire bridge near Haew Narok Waterfall.
The bridge is currently unsafe to use near Haew Narok, which is one of Khao Yai’s major attractions. The park’s official website lists the waterfall at about 150 meters high.
The Whole Park Is Now Closed
The Department of National Parks says it has suspended all tourist areas and overnight stays at Khao Yai. The park’s entrance checkpoints are also closed.
Officials had already been dealing with landslides, fallen trees and roads that couldn’t be used after the heavy rain. Power and communication systems were also knocked out for more than 48 hours in some areas.
Crews are monitoring water levels around the clock and checking roads and other damaged areas.
There Is No Reopening Date Yet
Khao Yai hasn’t said when visitors will be allowed back in. Engineers and other experts will inspect the damaged bridge once the water drops enough to reach it safely. The park says repairs are needed to make the bridge safe before visitors can return to that area.
The rest of the park will also need to be checked before it reopens. For now, visitors are being asked to stay away and watch for updates from Khao Yai National Park.
