Location: |
Wang Krachae, Sai Yok District, Kanchanaburi 71150.
Sai Yok National Park. From Kanchanaburi on Highway 323 75 km, between km 59 and 60. (14.2997043, 98.9828067) |
Open: |
All year daily 8-16:30. [2024] |
Fee: |
Adults THB 300, Children THB 200. Thais: Adults THB 60, Children THB 30. [2024] |
Classification: |
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Light: |
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Dimension: | L=530 m, VR=17 m, A=125 m asl. |
Guided tours: | self guided, L=280 m. |
Photography: | allowed |
Accessibility: | no |
Bibliography: | |
Address: | Tham Lawa, Wang Krachae, Sai Yok District, Kanchanaburi 71150, Tel: +66-89-028-1958. |
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info. |
1953 | cave discovered by Phin Dokkhem, a local farmer and hunter. |
23-NOV-1960 | cave explored by Danish archaeological expedition. |
09-FEB-1961 | Danish archaeological expedition unable to access the cave due to hostility from locals and monks living nearby. |
21-JAN-1962 | finally investigated by Danish archaeological expedition. |
1980 | survey by Spanish cavers Ubach I Tarr and S. Montserrat. |
1987 | speleobiological exploration and survey by Louis Deharveng. |
1995 | survey by Dean Smart and U. Timkaew in preparation for the development as show cave. |
Tham Lawa (Lawa Cave) is best reached by boat from Pak Saeng Pier southwest of Namtok Railway Station. There are boats for 8-10 people available, which need about 45 minutes to reach the cave. The reason is simply that there is no sufficient road, the highway 323 is on the other side of River Kwai Noi, and there is no bridge. However, there is a paved road which is tricky to find and ends here. Nevertheless, the small hamlet has not only the show cave, there are also several resorts at the river, including the famous Float House, which is actually a long series of boats at the shore of river Kwai. The show cave is operated by the Sai Yok National Park, the park rangers at the ticket office wear camouflage uniforms.
From the ticket office it’s a 300 m hike uphill with 100 steps to the cave entrance. The entrance to Tham Lawa is narrow, but the interior is spacious. There are several chambers named the Music Chamber, the Throne Chamber, and the Curtain Chamber. The connections of the chambers are often rather low and require stooping. The cave has trails and electric light, but several reviewers found the light insufficient. This is a problem in many Far East show caves, we generally suggest to bring a good lamp. The park rangers also rent lamps. Also be aware that caves in Thailand are often damp, so it is quite warm inside. However, the rumours about suffocating and not enough oxygen are nonsense.