Print-friendlyNakhon Sawan has several ranges of limestone hills which outcrop on the alluvial plains. The highest of these is the 20 km long Khao Luang (772 m). Khao Chon Kan is also 20 km long, but only 400 m above sea level. Two other ranges are Khao Kala (495 m) and the spectacular Khao Kaeo (341 m). In the south-eastern part of the province there are also numerous isolated limestone hills. Amphoe Ta Khli and Amphoe Tak Fa in particular have many limestone hills.
Amphoe Banphot Phisai
Khao Kaeo
47P 549600 1760500
When heading northwards from Nakhon Sawan town on H1 towards Kampheng Phet a very impressive razor-backed, 2 km long ridge is seen to the north of the road. Although caves are reported in the ridge it has not yet been visited by us.
Amphoe Tak Fa
Tham Kuha Sopon ถ้ ำคูหาโสภณ
47P 0655995 1689980 Alt.: 170 m
Length: 50 m VR: 11 m COT NS 38
The cave is sign posted to the south of H1 a few kilometres from Tak Fa when travelling towards Ta Khli. This small side road passes between two low hills and after a couple of kilometres you reach a monastery on the left.
The cave is in the hill above the monastery. Follow the track a for a few metres beyond the monastery and then take a footpath up the hill on the left. The cave has been heavily modified and has a steep set of concrete steps leading down into the single large chamber. There is the usual Buddha and shrines in the cave.
Survey of Tham Kuha Sopon
Amphoe Ta Khli/Amphoe Tak Fa
Tham Phet - Tham Thong Forest Park วนอุทยานถ้ ำเพชร-ถ้ ำทอง
47P 0650006 1692160 (car park)
This 480 hectare Forest Park was created in January 1998. It is found a few kilometres further along H1 from Tham Kuha Sopon in the direction of Ta Khli. It is indistinctly signposted down a road to the right (north) of the main road, on a sharp left hand bend between kilometre 247 and kilometre 248. The park is centred on the low limestone hill Khao Chon Dua (375 m) and is surrounded by a flat alluvial flood plain.
It has several caves of which we were shown two by our guide. The management and guides working at the park were very friendly and helpful (the guide would not accept any payment). There is an interesting little museum with rocks, fossils, photographs of cave animals, etc. from the park. The Caves of Thailand lists eleven caves from the park (COT NS 22 – 32).
Tham Wung Kai Mook ถ้ ำวังไข่มุก
Length: ~100 m
This was the nearest cave to the park headquarters buildings. A series of steps leads through several tall rifts with a few formations. It was not a long or particularly pretty cave, but it was noticeably warm.
Shrine Cave
Length: ~30 m
Just beyond Tham Wung Kai Mook we were shown a large shrine cave consisting of a single large chamber.
In the small Park brochure and on the Royal Forest Department website a further five caves are mentioned: Tham Boot Sa Rah Kum ถ้ ำบุษราคัม , Tham Phet Nang Uay ถ้ ำเพชรนางอาย, Tham Dawdung (northern part of the park with large chambers that can hold 400-500 people), Tham Phra Dap Phet (southern part of the park with four decorated chambers) and Tham Phra Kai (western part of the park, 50 m deep with 5 huge decorated chambers).
Nakhon Sawan References
Ogle, D. (1986) [Khao Kaeo]
Map: 1:250,000 ND47-03 Changwat Nakhon Sawan