Tham Pha Nang Khoi

Useful Information

Location:	Yantaraki-Koson Road AH13/101. Turn off at Rong Kwang north.
Open:	All year 8:30-17. [2020]
Fee:	free. [2020]
Classification:	Karst cave
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:	L=1,600 m.
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Tham Pha Nang Khoi, Thong Thind Phrae 1004 Rd. (Ban Mae Sai-Ban Mae Yang Pho), Tambon Rong Kwang, Amphoe Rong Kwang, Chang Wat Phrae 54140.
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.

History

Description

ถ้ำผานางคอย (Tham Pha Nang Khoi) is the home of the Wat of the same name. The cave is quite long and full of impressive stalagmites. Many legends are told about the stalagmites, the most famous about one which is formed like a woman holding a baby.

800 years ago a beautiful princess of San Wee Kingdom fell in love with a commoner. Their forbidden love blossomed and finally the princess was pregnant. Fearing punishment, they decided to flee the kingdom, while they were chased by soldiers,. The princess got injured by an arrow and they hid inside a cave. The injured princess told her lover to leave her behind and promised to wait in the cave for his return. But her lover was captured and killed. As promised, the princess waited and waited inside the cave with her baby in her arms, until they finally turned into stone.

The cave was named Pha Nang Khoi which means Hill of the Waiting Lady in Thai, reminding of the devotion of the princess. The cave is a through cave and from the end it is possible to return outside or go back through the cave.