During the rainy season each year, many water extremists gather at Kaeng Hin Poeng Rapids on the Sai Yai River, Prachinburi province in Thailand, to exercise their adrenaline on the strong currents along this hazardous waterway.

story & photos: Warong Suwanchartkul

The rubber rafts, which each contain 8-10 persons, require skilful oarsmen to control direction and to prevent the raft crashing on the rocks and capsizing. Rafting on Kaeng Hin Poeng rapids has become one of the most popular water activities among friends and needs good teamwork to gear up for the wild creek. The trip involves one hour through the rapids before running into smooth water towards the end of the journey.

For safety reasons, before proceeding to the rapids, extremists and tourists who join the adventurous trip will be provided with a briefing on basic skill to control the boat and some useful instructions by professionals if the boat capsizes.

From the headquarters of Khao Yai National Park Office 9, tourists have to walk on foot for about 2.5 km along a nature trail to the starting point of the rapids. Then ones  adrenaline will start pumping along the whitewater trail which ranges from Class 3 to 5 or, from intermediate to expert level of white-water navigating skills and experience and which requires extreme caution.

The white-water rafting trip on the Sai Yai River starts a short distance above the Kaeng Hin Phoeng rapids and continues past Greater Kaeng Hin Phoeng, a 100-metre stretch of the river with swirling waves forging their way through rocky crevices. The trip features six rapids – Kaeng Hin Phoeng, Kaeng Wang Nam Lom, Kaeng Wang Bon, Kaeng Luuk Seua, Kaeng Wang Sai and Kaeng Ngu Hao. There are lifeguard stations at all six rapids.

Beyond a wild white-water ride or an exhilarating river adventure, the breathtaking landscape that hugs the river is home to a great diversity of spectacular flora and fauna; river-rafting unveils some fascinating and rarely seen spectacles – butterflies hovering over a salt lick by the river or colourful birds seeking refuge in the forested canopy.

International Grading System Whitewater Classification

Class 1 – Easy
The easiest and safest level with fast moving water, ripples and small waves with few obstructions, all obvious. Easily rescued

Class 2 – Novice
Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels evident without scouting. Rocks and medium-sized waves easily missed by trained paddlers. Easily rescued.

Class 3 – Intermediate
Rapids with moderate and irregular waves. Strong eddies and powerful currents, particularly on large volume rivers. Good boat control is required in tight passages and around ledges. Scouting is advisable. Rescue is possible.

Class 4 – Advanced
Intense and powerful but predictable rapids. Many feature large unavoidable waves, holes and constricted passages demanding fast manoeuvring under pressure. Scouting is necessary first time. Difficult rescue may be possible.

Class 5 – Expert
Extremely long, obstructed or violent rapids which expose a paddler to above average danger. Drops may contain large unavoidable waves or holes. Rapids may continue for long distances between pools, requiring a level of fitness. Scouting is essential but difficult. Difficult and painful rescue may be possible.

Getting to Kaeng Hin Phoeng
From Bangkok, take Suwannasorn Road and Highway 33 and head for Kabin Buri district. Look out for the 201 km marker with a petrol station and Wat Sra Du School to the left. Continue along Sra Du-Sapan Hin Road for 16 kms then turn left and drive 17 kms to get to Ban Nong Haen School. Turn left and continue for another 7 kms to get to Khao Yai Ranger Station No. 9. From this point, continue for another 8 kms, then hike 2.5 kms along a forest trek.

Rafting Fees
The trip is made in an inflatable rubber raft.
500 baht (US$15) per person or 3,500 baht (US$100) per rubber raft for 8 persons

Contact information
TAT Central Region Office – Region 8
Tel: +66 3731 2282, +66 3731 2284.
E-mail: tatnayok@tat.or.th

Hotels in Khao Yai, Thailand

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