Phraya Nakhon Cave

Hidden amidst the breathtaking Khao Sam Roi Not National Park in Prachuap Khan Province in Thailand lies the mysterious Phraya Nakhon Cave. About 177 km southwest of Bangkok and only 45 minutes away from Hua Hin on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand is this fascinating spot.

The cave, located in the middle of the Thai National Park, is divided into two chambers connected by the so-called Bridge of Hell.

Ancient trees and unusual plants grow upward along the limestone cave to catch a little sunlight through the ceiling opening. Therefore, Phraya Nakhon Cave is not only home to seemingly endless limestone, rather it is also often considered a scenic or natural highlight. The lush green of the plants and trees envelops the gray rocky grotto in a lively natural oasis.

If you now leave the first cave chamber and take the short way across the bridge of hell to the second chamber, the next stunning attraction awaits you here. With a little luck, you will enter the second cave chamber at the moment when the morning sun shines through the hole in the ceiling. Then the light falls like a spotlight exactly on the magical Kuha Kharuehat Pavilion. This shines in the sunlight even more impressively in the colors green and gold. It almost appears as if it were glowing from within, mysteriously erasing the darkness of the cave. Simply magical!

Kuha Kharuehat Pavilion is the smallest temple in Thailand and is considered a religious landmark. It was built in honor of King Rama V, who visited the pavilion in 1926 and immortalized himself with his signature on the wall to the right of the temple.

You will probably not meet many tourists in the Phraya Nakhon cave. Because the way into the cave has it in itself and is therefore too demanding for many tourists. First, you have to expect a 45-minute drive from Hua Hin to the small village of Bang Pu, which is located directly on one of Thailand's beautiful beaches.

From here you have a choice, you can either continue by boat to Laem Sala Beach, which costs about between 150 and 200 baht, or you can take the strenuous 30-minute hike over the hill to the beach. From Laem Sala Beach, another hike of about 430 meters awaits. This one may only be done with a guide, as it leads over uneven and sometimes steep steps through the mysterious forest. During relaxed breaks, you can then catch glimpses of the endless sea and the dreamlike beaches. Once you reach the top of the hill, it's a little easier downhill into the cave.

There is no entrance fee to visit the cave, but there is an entrance fee of 200 baht for the national park in which the cave is located. The best time to visit Phraya Nakhon cave is in the morning between 10 and 11 o'clock, when the sunlight of the morning sun shines directly on the impressive temple.

In front of the mountain there is also a small restaurant, where you can refresh yourself with drinks or food after the demanding hike or before the way back.

A visit to the Phraya Nakhon cave is definitely worth it! An idea would also be to first go with us on our adventurous Thailand round trip and then to discover the Phraya Nakhon cave on your own during an excursion.