Phraya Nakhon Cave

Phraya Nakhon Cave is under the care of Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, the first coastal national park in Thailand. It is a large cave, about 500 meters from Laem Sala Beach. There is a hole in the cave ceiling through which light can enter, and there is the Khuha Karuhas Pavilion, a four-sided pavilion built during the reign of King Rama V during his visit on June 20, 1890. It was built in Bangkok by Prince Khajoradjarasvong and sent for assembly, with Phraya Chalyutthayothin as the construction supervisor. His Majesty King Chulalongkorn the Great presided over the topping-out ceremony. On the right rock wall, the monograms of King Rama V and King Rama VII are prominently displayed in large white letters. The Khuha Karuhas Pavilion is considered the highlight of Phraya Nakhon Cave. The sunlight shining through the cave ceiling onto the pavilion between approximately 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM creates a very beautiful scene, which is why it has become the symbol of Prachuap Khiri Khan province today.

Other interesting attractions in the Phraya Nakhon Cave area include a trapezoidal kiln-fired brick well, 1 meter wide and 4 meters deep, called Phraya Nakhon Well. According to legend, during the reign of King Rama I, the ruler of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Chao Phraya Nakhon, sailed past Khao Sam Roi Yot and encountered a great storm, preventing further travel. He anchored his ship to take shelter on this beach for several days and discovered the cave above. Thus, the cave was named Phraya Nakhon Cave, and a well was dug for drinking water, called Phraya Nakhon Well. It is located before the path leading up to Phraya Nakhon Cave.

In addition, there is a Natural Bridge, which is a cave ceiling with two light openings and a stone bridge in the middle. It can be viewed along the path inside the cave before reaching the pavilion. There are also stupa-shaped stone pillars, stalactites, and stalagmites that have formed into stupa shapes. The ashes of Luang Por Ngern, an abbot of Wat Bang Khlan in Phichit Province, who once meditated in this cave and instructed that his ashes be placed here upon his death.

Not only the beauty inside the cave, but the surrounding area is also lush and abundant. Along the mountain path, there are resting spots to relieve fatigue, and they are also viewpoints offering panoramic views, allowing you to see the beautiful scenery of the mountains and Laem Sala Beach from a high vantage point.

There are two ways to travel to Phraya Nakhon Cave:

• By boat: Start at Bang Pu Beach, take a boat around the mountain to Laem Sala Beach, taking about 10-15 minutes. Then, walk up the mountain to Phraya Nakhon Cave for about 400 meters. The boat rental fee is 400 Baht per boat, seating no more than 6 people. Boats operate from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
• On foot: Start at Bang Pu Beach, walk across the mountain to Laem Sala Beach, then walk up the mountain to Phraya Nakhon Cave. The total walking time is 2 hours due to the rather steep path. There is a warning sign at the beginning of the mountain path for those with underlying health conditions to consider before ascending.

Admission fees: Adults 40 Baht, Children 20 Baht. Foreigners: Adults 200 Baht, Children 100 Baht. Accommodation is available at Khao Daeng and Laem Sala Beach, with tent rentals also available. For more information, contact the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Bangkok, Tel. 0 2562 0760, www.dnp.go.th, or Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, Khlong Khut Subdistrict, Kui Buri District, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Tel. 0 3282 1568.

Getting Here

• By Car: Take Phetkasem Road at kilometer marker 286 (near Baan Samrong, 6 kilometers before Kui Buri District), then turn left and drive for approximately 14 kilometers to the park headquarters. Alternatively, from Hua Hin, take Phetkasem Road (Highway No. 4) to Pran Buri Intersection, turn left onto Pran Buri-Pak Nam Pran Road, cross the railway, turn right onto Rural Road No. Por Kor 4020 for about 16 kilometers, pass Baan Bang Pu Intersection, and continue straight to the park headquarters.
• By Bus: Get off at Pran Buri District and hire a songthaew (shared taxi) to take you to the park headquarters.
• By Train: Take the Thonburi-Prachuap Khiri Khan or Thonburi-Lang Suan train line and get off at Sam Roi Yot Railway Station. Hire a songthaew (available in front of the station) to the park.