The Most Beautiful Caves in Thailand

KH6C5D Phraya Nakhon Cave at Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand.
KH6C5D Phraya Nakhon Cave at Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand. | © PHANUPONG CHUATAEW / Alamy Stock Photo
Iona Proebst

Thailand is not only famous for its stunning beaches, delicious food and friendly people, it is also home to some of the world’s most stunning caves! Check out our list of the most beautiful caves in Thailand, you’ll be surprised by what you will discover.

You can now experience the best Thailand has to offer with Culture Trip on our specially curated small-group adventure to Northern Thailand or Southern Thailand.

1. Tham Lot, Pang Mapha

Archaeological site, Natural Feature

Exploring the Tham Lod Cave by kayak, Pang Mapha Thailand
© dave stamboulis / Alamy Stock Photo

Tham Lot Cave is roughly a 40 minute drive south of Pai in Sappong. There are two options to explore this stunning cave, both require the expert help of a local guide. The first option is to go both ways on a raft through the cave, the other option is to go into the cave on a bamboo raft and then walk back through the forest. This adventure requires a fair level of fitness as you’ll climb up and down staircases discovering the caves highlights. Contact Cave Lodge for exciting caving, kayaking and hiking adventures.

2. Tham Chiang Dao, Chiang Dao

Natural Feature

Wat Tham Chiang Dao temple, cave in Chiang Mai province, Thailand
© Pierrick Lemaret / Alamy Stock Photo

Explore the wonders of the limestone temple caves in Chiang Dao. There are over 100 caves in the complex that extend over 10 kilometres into the mountain range. Many of the caves have shrines, statues and Buddha images. There is a small entrance fee and to explore deeper into the caves it is expected that you hire a local guide to lead the way. Chiang Dao is also famous for its hiking trails.

3. Phraya Nakhon Cave, Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park

Natural Feature

Sun light hole in Phraya Nakhon Cave with green tree and blue sky and cloud at Prachuap Khiri Khan Thailand. Natural cave in unseen Thailand
© steafpong / Alamy Stock Photo

Located 45 minutes drive south of Hua Hin, in the Khao Sam Rot Yot National Park, Phraya Nakhon Cave is one of Thailand’s most beautiful caves. The journey to the cave will take you past white sand beaches, rugged mountains and lush forests. The cave has two chambers both of which are open at the top, which allows the sun to stream in. The main chamber houses the Kuha Karuhas pavilion, a truly magical sight to behold.

4. Phi Hua To Cave, Krabi

Natural Feature

Landscape inside ancient cave Tham Pee Hua Toe or Big-headed Ghost Cave in Krabi province, Thailand.
© Techa Tungateja / Alamy Stock Photo

Phi Hua To Cave, or otherwise known as “big-headed Ghost Cave”, is Krabi’s most famous cave located close to the Than Bok Khorani National Park. The limestone caves are surrounded by mangrove forests and are adorned with prehistoric paintings depicting humans and marine animals. The name “big headed Ghost Cave” is apt considering the site is believed to have been a burial site over 3,000 years ago. A large number of skulls have been uncovered here. The cave is also known for a tiger paw which is embedded in the stone.

5. Viking Cave, Koh Phi Phi Ley

Natural Feature

Viking cave on Maya island, Thailand in a summer day
© Sergii Figurnyi / Alamy Stock Photo

A stunning limestone cave with beautiful drawings of ancient Viking ships on the walls. The cave is also a popular site to harvest a certain type of bird nest that is used in a traditional Chinese soup. The cave is no longer open to tourists however boats will get you as close enough to check out this stunning cave.

6. Tham Lum Khao Ngu (Snake Mountain Cave), Kanchanaburi

Natural Feature, Park

Be prepared to be awe-struck. Tham Lum Khao Ngu houses the tallest cave column in the world at a mighty 62 meters tall (200 feet)! This impressive structure looks like a mega-church organ and is truly a breathtaking sight.

7. Monkey Cave (Wat Tham Suwan Khuha Cave Temple)

Natural Feature, Buddhist Temple

Wat Tham Suwan Khuha Buddhist Cave, Phang Nga Bay, Krabi Province, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Asia
© robertharding / Alamy Stock Photo

This cave is home to a magnificent reclining gold Buddha statue. The cave is also very light with plenty of room, so a perfect caving option for those that get claustrophobic in tight spaces. As the name implies there are numerous monkeys jumping about outside of the cave. Be careful they can be feisty.

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