South East Asian Trips

The rainy season in Thailand, from mid-May to mid-October, is generally regarded as the low season for tourism. Not anymore. Today, it's not just farmers that welcome the rains. Tour operators and tourists will be enjoying another fun-filled eco activity best suited to this time of the year-rafting.

In fact, rafting is not new in Thailand. Many nature-loving tourists are familiar with bamboo rafting. These rafts float along at a leisurely pace, allowing the tourists to admire the pristine natural surroundings on either side of the river. Now adventure rafting has come to the fore, particularly whitewater rafting using rubber dinghies instead of bamboo rafts. The activity is mainly enjoyed on the wild rivers.

Whitewater rafting was introduced to Thailand only a few years ago and it became a big hit shortly afterwards. It is an excellent activity for the rainy season. Many tour operators have jumped into the rafting business in response to increasing demand. A number of river routes have been explored in recent years, and now many of those rivers have become well-known for whitewater rafting.

The North

The north is probably the region where rafting originated in Thailand and has more rivers suitable for rafting than anywhere else. The best-known and longest-established rafting route is along the Mae Taeng River in Chiang Mai. This river is quite famous among foreign tourists, less so for local travelers. Normally, one- or two-day package tours are available.

Another interesting spot for river rafting in Chiang Mai is on the Mae Cham River; considered one of the most exciting rafting areas in the north. The Mae Cham is part of an itinerary that includes the Doi Inthanon and Orb Luang national parks.

Farther north from Chiang Mai is the Pai River in Mae Hong Son. With an approximate length of 130 km, the Pai River is the major river in the province.

Good rafting can also be found on the Nam Khek River, in Phitsanulok province and the Nam Wa in Nan.

Far-away Tak is fast becoming a popular destination for thrill-seekers and nature lovers seeking quieter pursuits. One of the best-known rafting trips is on the Mae Klong River. Two different routes can be taken: from Umphang to Ta Sai to visit the Thi Lor Su waterfall and secondly, from Baan Palatha to the Thi Lor Le waterfall.

Other Regions

In recent years, many rivers in the provinces around Bangkok have been promoted for rafting. The discovery has allowed a lot of tourists from Bangkok to enjoy this fun-filled activity without having to travel far from their homes.