Phupha Phet Cave, the largest cave in Thailand

Phu Pha Phet Cave is a tourist attraction for conservation. Located in the Khao Banthat wildlife sanctuary with an area of more than 80,000 square meters inside the cave. The ceiling of the cave is lofty and is filled with stalagmites and stalactites of various shapes, which is very beautiful. Especially when the light hits the water droplets that settle on the rock, it creates a picturesque, diamond-like luster.

This is the origin of the name "Tham Phu Pha Phet" ("Phet" means diamond). The original name of Tham Phu Pha Phet is "Tham Lod, Tham Yao or Tham Phet" because the cave is long and crooked.

Phupha Phet Cave inside

The discoverer of this cave was a monk named "Luang Ta Phang". Then, archaeologists have explored and found archeological evidence of ancient human bones, skull fragments, lacquered pottery fragments, ropes, containers with shells attached, and more. Later, it developed into a famous tourist attraction for conservation to this day.

Pathway before reaching Phu Pha Phet Cave

Before you reach the entrance of the cave, you will have to walk up 300 steps, which makes you sweat quite a lot. But do not worry that you will be exhausted because when you come to the entrance of the cave, there will be a seat to rest before entering the cave.

Entrance to Phu Pha Phet Cave

A small hole is the entrance to the cave. Officials say the reason for the small entrance is because they don't want anything from the outside to easily interfere with the environment inside the cave. And another rule is that the staff are not allowed to bring food or drinks inside. If anyone is carrying it, they must only leave it outside.

Inside the largest cave in Thailand

The appearance of the cave is large, long and zigzag divided into several rooms, totaling more than 20 rooms. There are lights illuminating the corridors in each room and each room is named according to the characteristics found, whether it is the diamond curtain room that looks like hanging curtains, or the Naga room with stalagmites shaped like a large snake or naga.

While the weather outside was sweltering, but once inside, it felt cool. A gentle breeze mixed with the humidity of the air here allows you to keep walking without feeling tired at all. Or maybe it's because we're stunned by the beauty of this cave?

wlakway inside the cave

The walkway is made of wood, with railings and lights along the way, making it easy to walk, but don't get so caught up in it that you forget to look at the ground as you might step on bat dust along the way. While walking, you can hear the bats calling from time to time to look at them.

Emerald Light Courtyard

The highlight point is “Emerald Light Courtyard”, which looks like a channel where natural light from above shines on the stalagmites and stalactites in that area, creating a very beautiful emerald green light. If anyone were to stand to receive the light from this point, it would be as if they had received the power of nature. But it's not that we can see the emerald light easily, which when the light falls down, it's around 3pm.

Getting to Phu Pha Phet Cave
From Bangkok to Tham Phu Pha Phet takes approximately 13 hours and 30 minutes, distance 942 kilometers. The long distance makes it take a long time to travel. You can travel by plane to Hat Yai Airport. Then rent a car and drive another 2 hours (124 kilometers) to Phu Pha Phet Cave.

Phupha Phet Cave Gallery