The Tham Phra Nakhon grotto is a natural speleological and geological site, arguably the most spectacular in Thailand. This wonder of nature is located within the Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park and houses a remarkable structure: the royal pavilion. Still relatively unknown to many travelers, this cave offers an extraordinary spectacle when sunlight illuminates the space… We share more details about this visit that truly deserves your attention during a trip to Thailand!

The park of 300 peaks

Located approximately 60 km south of the coastal resort town of Hua Hin, in Phrachuap Khiri Khan Province, stands the Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. The grotto is said to have been discovered by chance over 200 years ago by Chao Praya Nakhon Sri Tha when he sought shelter from a storm.

Translated literally as « hill of 300 peaks », the park owes its name to its impressive cliffs, limestone formations and caves. It is also Thailand's first marine national park, featuring numerous lagoons and freshwater marshes from which you can observe a rich variety of birdlife and exceptional flora. Within the park, you may also encounter primates such as macaques or langurs.

Don't miss the Khao Daeng viewpoint, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes. But what particularly captures our attention within the park is its natural grotto with its otherworldly atmosphere…

The Tham Phra Nakhon Grotto

You can access the royal pavilion grotto in several ways. With the starting point located on Laem Sala Beach, you can take hiking trails or arrive via a longtail boat service (the traditional Thai long-tailed boat). Once on the beach, a 450-meter climb leads to the grotto. Expect approximately 30 minutes to reach the summit. Efforts that are quickly rewarded…

After conquering the elevation, massive rock formations give glimpses of the spectacle ahead. We dare you not to gasp when you discover the interior of this grotto that we love to describe as « the bowels of the earth ». The grandeur of the space is impressive, and when sunrays pierce through the gaping aperture of the light shafts, a magical aura spreads throughout. One almost feels as though time stands suspended.

The Tham Phra Nakhon grotto contains a structure with soft, graceful colors: the royal pavilion. Built in honor of King Rama V's visit in 1890, it has been visited by his successors, all of whom marked their visits with signatures that you can discover on the walls.

As you wander around, you can also see a prayer corner and a rock formation shaped like a crocodile. If you look up, you'll spot a stone bridge, commonly known as the bridge of death due to the many animals that have attempted to cross it, unsuccessfully.