Tham Khao Wong Forest Park (Phu Wai Cave)

History & Significance

Tham Khao Wong Forest Park is situated in Ban Rai Subdistrict, Ban Rai District, Uthai Thani Province. It forms a vital part of the Western Forest Complex, directly adjacent to Phu Toei National Park in neighboring Suphan Buri Province. The landscape is characterized by steep, rugged limestone mountains and serves as an essential watershed area for the streams flowing through Ban Rai District.

Highlights & What to See

The forest park features several remarkable natural attractions:

• Phu Wai Cave (Tham Phu Wai): A massive cave set within a steep limestone mountain. Inside, the spacious chambers feature spectacular stalactites and stalagmites, including formations resembling a million-year-old stone pillar, a parasol-shaped stone, a limestone waterfall, and a figure resembling the Goddess Guanyin. The cave is well-ventilated with a natural chimney that exits on the opposite side of the mountain. It is also home to cave crickets, cave spiders, and nine species of bats. Exploring this cave requires a local guide at the entrance and takes about 1 hour.
• Thep Mali Cave (or Phayanak Cave): Located behind Phu Wai Cave, this is a smaller but relatively deep cave featuring beautiful stalactites and stalagmites.
• Phu Wai Peak: Rising 700 meters above sea level, the peak offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The mountain ridge is covered by a healthy deciduous dipterocarp forest.

Visitor Information

The park is open daily from 08:30 AM to 04:30 PM. Admission to the forest park is free. However, visitors wishing to explore Phu Wai Cave must contact a local guide at the cave entrance for safety. Parking facilities are available on-site.

How to Get There

Tham Khao Wong Forest Park is located in Ban Rai Subdistrict, Ban Rai District, Uthai Thani Province. It can be reached by car, and parking is available for visitors.