Sumps & Resurgences in Thailand
December 2008
This a very incomplete list of various sumps and resurgences that have been reported from Thailand.
CHIANG MAI
Spring UBSS 2000-SP1
47Q 0509730 2183119
L: c.6m
Water issues from a low wet passage which was pushed for about 6m. [Farrant, et. al. (2001)]
Spring UBSS 2000-SP2
47Q 0509415 2183328
Impenetrable. The water emerges from tufaceous boulders. [Farrant, et. al. (2001)]
CM30 Nam Rue Luang Rising (Nong Bia Rising)
47Q 0511300 2173100 (+/- 100m)
A large spring located in a broad embayment a few hundred metres southwest of Tham Tab Tao consisting of a deep pool at the base of a steep slope. The pool was dived to a depth of about 7m before it became choked with fallen trees and boulders. The water from here joins the stream which resurges from Tham Tab Tao. [Farrant, et. al. (2001)]
Paddy Field Spring
47Q 0499112 2172731
A major spring rising from a deep pool at the foot of a steep hill. Even in the dry season the water wells up with considerable force. The water appeared to be very clear and probably drains a large area. The site was dived to a depth of a few metres, by the route was obscured by tree routes and the fast current. [Farrant, et. al. (2001)]
CHIANG RAI
Sai Thong Resurgence
47Q 0590400 2251450
1 km south of Tham Luang, at the foot of Doi Nang Non. Turn off the main road 7.5km south of Mae Sai and continue straight west through Ban Jong to Khun Nam Nang Non RFD station. The resurgence foms a pool in the park.
This resurgence has a 1 km long cave just above it, but no link has been found. It is possibly the resurgence for the 6.5km long Tham Luang.
CHAIYAPHUM
Khon San Area
Ban Tham Ngoen resurgence Cave CH0007
47Q 0802250 1835320 Alt: 300m
Resurgence cave. 250m to upstream sump. Stream sink is unknown. The sump may open at the end of the dry season.
Tham Nam Lei
Nam Phut Thap Lao CH0044
47Q 0804720 1831002 Alt.: 350m
A large vauclusian resurgence developed by the RFD as a tourist attraction. It has been dived to 20m depth in a small ongoing passage.
Spring CH0063
47Q 0802832 1839509 Alt.: 300m
A large spring with some development and a monk's house nearby.
Spring & Vauclusian Spring CH0065
47Q 0802082 1839221 Alt.: 305m
A small stream was found coming out of boulders with a vauclusian spring nearby. No caves were found.
Nam Phut Lat Wanarom
47Q 809140 1838503
Nam Phut Hin Lat is in Ban Nam Phu Hin Lat, 800m north of the H12 and 4km west of the H12 / H2055 junction. The resurgence has not been visited.
Phu Kheio Wildlife Sanctuary
Tham Kram Chang CH17
16°24'55" N 101°31'58" E
A fine vadose passage 300m to a sump. It seems likely that the water resurges in or flows beneath a large doline a kilometre to the south-west, before flowing towards the Lam Chi River area.
Tham Nok Nang An CH19
16°24'00" N 101°32'11"E
Active lower entrance which can be followed by increasing constrictions to a sump at –71m. This may be the same stream seen in Tham Phu Kieo.
Tham Phu Kieo CH21
16°23'06" N 101°32'12" E
A 38m pitch leads rapidly down to a river passage 30m wide and 20m high which sumps 400m downstream. It is not clear whether this stream is entirely derived from the valley leading to the cave or whether it is the same stream sinking at Tham Nok Nang An.
Tham Pha Thewada CH22
16°20'48" N 101°32'56" E
Descends steeply over rubble to a wide, generally low passage meandering south-west to a sump.
Tham Huei Nam Lad CH23
16°23'15" N 101°29'35" E
A spectacular high canyon entrance with an active stream leading down cascades to 200m of canyon and a sump at –100m.
Chi Dan Resurgence CH38
16°21'N 101°31'E
Apparently impenetrable resurgence of the water sinking at Tham Put Son, but with further prospects.
Lam Chi Resurgence CH40
16°21'N 101°31'E
aka Chee Dan Resurgence
About 300m south of Tham Put Son, thought to be the main regional resurgence. A brief investigation did not locate any cave and a more thorough exploration is warranted.
Cave CH0078
47Q 759970 1778550 Alt.: 600m
Steps lead down to a pool of deep water.
KANCHANABURI
Resurgence KA0087
47P 507534 15732210
The resurgence for Tham Wang Badan. No cave accessible.
Tham Kaet KA0094
47P 509330 1578752
A steeply sloping passage to a pool at 8m depth with high CO2.
Cave KA0129
47P 460916 1654360
Said to contain water.
Spring KA0132
47P 457335 1656210
A spring beside the highway with a possible enterable cave.
Tham Nam Phra That KA0140
47P 509104 1591458 Alt.: 570m
1.3km long resurgence stream cave. Seasonal upstream sump. Exploration stop at a very low wet squeeze. Resurgence is a few dozen metres from the cave entrance and can be explored for a few metres.
Tham Yai KA0176
The lower cave of the Tham Nam Khlong Ngu system. The cave sumps after a few metres to be seen again in Tham Nam KA0177
Tham Nam KA0177
A 550m long resurgence cave (the water comes from Tham Yai KA0176) with a 300m swim to the upstream sump.
Tham Khao Mo KA0195
Near Ban Ung Lu, Sri Sawat at the foot of Khao Ung Lu. Said to have an underground river, but not explored.
Cave KA0218
47P 489602 1681981
A spring with a very short cave.
Tham Nam Mut KA0225
47P 462714 1658040
Downstream sump, but close to the resurgence.
Tham Nam Pha Khoan KA0227
Two entrances 10m apart one of which is a sumping resurgence.
Tham Kai KA0228
47P 466290 1652508
A passage 100m long and 40m high leads to a sump at -10m.
Tham Li Chia KA0229
47P 453770 1665434
The site of the Japanese gold rush. 6m high entrance descends for 80m to a lower sumping passage. Locals report the sump can be passed in dry conditions to another chamber or entrance.
Tham Nam Khao Khanum KA0235
47P 457279 1624872
A small strean can be followed uphill in high CO2 to a sump.
Tham Ban Nam Mut KA0297
47P 498547 1611930
A 4.1km stream cave with 3 entrances up to 1km apart. The cave has great potential.
Cave KA0300
47P 498547 1615617
A short cave traversed by a stream.
Spring KA0335
47P 462657 1621176 Alt.: 180m
The two springs feed a dam. Although no cave is evident they appear to drain caves such as Tham Longsun Pha.
Tham Pha On Haeng KA0339
47P 462654 1619332 Alt.: 270m
A perennially active resurgence can be followed for 18m to a tight sump. The stream is thought to originate from Spring KA0340.
Spring KA0340
47P 460856 1617492
A perennial spring emerging from rocks with no cave visible. The stream flows on the surface for a few hundred metres before sinking again after which it is presumed to rise again at Tham Pha On Haeng.
Spring KA0346
47P 462648 1615646 Alt.: 200m
An apparently perennial spring feeding a dam, not investigated for caves.
Spring KA0349
47P 466228 1608267
The stream outside Tham Walee is said to come from this spring which was not explored.
Tham Chet Mit Resurgence Cave KA0351
47P 442903 1615684 Alt.: 300m
Sumps after 10m.
Spring KA0355
47P 459086 1632242
Water resurges from a 2m x 1m hole about 3m deep.
Resurgence Cave KA0357
47P 480614 1635902 Alt.: 740m
A small stream rises from a short cave.
Tham Nam Tok KA0361
47P 585200 1644110
Both branches end at sumps. This is a 2.7km long stream cave.
Cave TF12 KA0393
47P 460932 1663577
The 400m long cave has both upstream and downstream sumps.
KHON KAEN
Tham Kubio KK0004
47Q 0818400 1862850
The cave has a static sump with beautiful green water.
Spring KK0035
Near the Phu Pha Man office. A pond where there is always flowing water.
Tham Nam Thip KK0040
47Q 811705 1853061 Alt.: 325m
Entrance leads down to a static pool.
KRABI
Tham Sra Kaeo
Dived to -240m. The deepest cave in Thailand.
Tham Sa Yuan Tong
Tham Phet
Tham Khlang
LOPBURI
Wang Kan Luang Waterfall Spring LB0050
47P 0728207 1671424
Wang Kan Luang Waterfall
Located approximately 12 km from Chai Badan accessible via the Chai Badan - Tha Luang (H2089). Look for signs to the waterfall and proceed for approximately 7 km.
This refreshing waterfall has ten cascades and flows throughout the year thanks to a nearby large underground water source.
http://thailand.sawadee.com/lopburi/attractions.htm (July 2007)
MAE HONG SON
Tham Nam Hu
47Q 0425000 2165000
The entrance is usually sumped. This sump opened after a drought to 1.5 km of passage. Although the passage was left going it has lethally high CO2 concentrations.
Tham Nam Ru Kua Koa
47Q 0393700 2147600
Upstream sump in the active system reached via 250m of low passage.
Tham Plah
47Q 0394000 2148100
There is no real cave, only a spring and a boiling mass of enormous well-fed fish dependent on hand-outs from tourists. However, an unconfirmed report says that foreign divers have entered and passed this entrance sump to a cave beyond which is perhaps the same rumored cave as MH98.
PHANG NGA
Tham Nam Tok
47P 0454672 0937612
160 m of swimming to upstream sump. Sump probably caused by 4m high irrigation dam built at the entrance. 4km to presumed swallets.
Sra Nang Manora Forest Park
Tham Nam Lot
47P 0450200 0940900
10m of cave to resurgence sump.
Tham Pla
47P 0450100 0939950
70m of deep water to resurgence sump.
Tham Khang Khao
47P 0450250 0940250
Static pool at bottom of slope near entrance.
PHETCHABUN
Nam Nao National Park
Tham Yai Nam Nao Resurgence: 120m of passage to roomy upstream sump. Several hundred metres to where the stream is last seen in Tham Yai Nam Nao.
Tham Yai Nam Nao:
downstream sump: fairly large, easier access from resurgence?
2004 Series upstream sump: very long carry, easier access from Tham Bah Dahn?
Tham Pha Rai: upstream sump: small and little potential.
Tham Bah Dahn: upstream and downstream sumps. Downstream should link with 2004 series in Tham Yai Nam Nao.
Tham Nam Bang: 47Q 0728602 1796974 Alt.: 108m - pool of water in lower cave. Sump?
PHITSANULOK
Thung Salaeng Luang National Park
Tham Phra Wang Daeng: upstream sump. Very long (10km!!) carry. Longest cave in Thailand.
Tham Khaeng Khao: upstream sump in left hand branch.
Tham Nam Dam: upstream sump?
Tham Pha Keao: stopped at low airspace section going upstream
Other resurgence cave sumps?
TAK
Tham Tan Sa Na: upstream sump will link with A3
A4: very large upstream sump – unknown sink
Tham Loe Pu: upstream and downstream sumps in New Streamway and Upper Cave probably link
Thungyai Naresuan East Wildlife Sanctuary
Tham Huai Mortaner
47P 0493507 1734819 Alt.: 910m
Upstream and downstream sumps in short, big passage
Tham Huai Bi
47P 0488897 1722236 (+/-400m) Alt.: 320m
Two day walk in!
Tham Seua
47P 0506546 1702173 Alt.: 1100m
Upstream and downstream sumps with 10m of streamway between the sumps.
Cave TK051
47P 0498400 1723677 Alt.: 900m
25m long flood overflow sink descends to sump.
Nong Ma Ngu Sink TA0192
47P 0491901 1733302 Alt.: 910m
Downstream sump 10m from the sink entrance.
UTTARADIT
Tham Chan Forest Park: resurgence – too small to dive?
