Famed Tak waterfall closed to tourists for next four months

Tak governor Charoenrit Sanguansat said provincial authorities and the Um Phang Wildlife Sanctuary have agreed not to postpone the annual closure by the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, which was necessary to protect both nature and tourists as the rains arrive.
Charoenrit said the 25-kilometre-long dirt road from Huay Nong Luang Forest protection unit to the waterfall would be closed from June 1 to September 30. The road will be re-opened on October 1.
The governor said the road through the forests would be closed to allow nature to heal itself during the rainy season. Moreover, the road becomes muddy during the rainy season so was not suitable for driving.
Kusol Suwannaporn, chief of the Um Phang Wildlilfe Sanctuary, said heavy rain had begun falling over the area so it would be dangerous to allow tourists to visit the waterfall.
He said the camping sites in the wildlife sanctuary, other sightseeing spots and the rafting route along the Mae Klong River to the waterfall would also be closed for the sake of tourist safety.
The road and the wildlife sanctuary would be opened to tourists again on October 1 when the rains would stop and the winter season begins, Kusol added.