ThailandHua Hin $$$$$ All Year Outdoor
Nature

Phraya Nakhon Cave

A mystical cavern located within the Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park near Hua Hin. Views of dancing sunrays and the pin-drop quiet atmosphere are well worth the 430m uphill climb to reach the cave.

The slippery and winding climb is lined with tall, shady trees providing eye-catching views that distract from exhaustion. 

An exquisite entrance cavern could have thinking you’ve reached the main attraction early. The main cavern lies a little further, welcoming visitors with warm sun rays streaming through the open roof. Contrasts of rough white and yellow limestone sparkle against green foliage and moss in every direction. A small temple, the Khuha Kharuehat Pavilion, takes center stage on the dusty dirt floor.

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Price

฿200 (USD$5.50)

Time Spent

3hours

Fitness level: Significant effort

Hours

8am-3:30pm7 days

Look Around

Entering first caveEntering first cave
Inside first caveInside first cave
Sign to main caveSign to main cave
First cave
Khuha Kharuehat Pavilion - central focus of caveKhuha Kharuehat Pavilion - central focus of cave
Hiking around circular path at base of caveHiking around circular path at base of cave
Main cave

Who Will Like Phraya Nakhon Cave

Nature Lover

Spend a day at the Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park exploring hiking trails, caves and beaches. Venture to the Bueng Bua Wood Boardwalk on the same day and use the same national park entrance ticket.

Photography Whiz

Trek through the steep and winding paths to capture sun rays dancing among treetops inside the whisper-quiet cavern.

Insider Tips For Phraya Nakhon Cave

Save a 2km hike and catch a boat from the main entrance to the closer Laem Sala Beach. Boat tickets can be purchased near the national park ticket office and come in the form of numbered tokens that match a numbered long-tail boat moored near the shore. When you return form the cave, kiosk staff at Laem Sala Beach will radio the same numbered boat to pick you up. 

Long boats moored in shallow waterLong boats moored in shallow water
Tourists wading out in water towards long boatsTourists wading out in water towards long boats
Long boat captainLong boat captain
Long boat in full flightLong boat in full flight
Accessing a long boat

Once you reach Laem Sala Beach, a concrete bench with water faucet is located nearby to wash your feet. Very handy before putting shoes back on for the hike up to the cave. From there, follow the brown and yellow wooden signs to the rough rock staircase.

Concrete bench with red hose for washing feetConcrete bench with red hose for washing feet
Signage to caveSignage to cave
Kiosk to call return boatKiosk to call return boat
View of ocean from beachView of ocean from beach
Stone staircase to caveStone staircase to cave
What to expect on Laem Sala Beach

Where Is It

Sam Roi Yot District, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand

Open map...

How To Get There

Car

Drive or catch a taxi to the Kaoh Sam Rot Yoi National Park entrance at Bang Po Beach. It may be tricky finding a taxi to drive back to Hua Hin so its best to hire a driver for the day and have them wait for you. Phraya Nakhon Cave is a 2 kilometer hike from the Bang Po Beach carpark.

฿20 (USD$0.55) • Large carpark near the main national park entrance at Bang Po Beach.

Driving directions... Walking directions from car... Google Map directions may be inaccurate

Boat

Instead of hiking the whole distance to the cave, take a boat from the Bang Po Beach carpark to Laem Sala Beach for ฿200 per person. The hike to Phraya Nakhon Cave from Laem Sala Beach is only 420 meters.

Walking directions from boat... Google Map directions may be inaccurate

Entrance from car parkEntrance from car park
Ticket booth (right) and national park map (left)Ticket booth (right) and national park map (left)
Welcome signWelcome sign
Entering national park

What To Bring

Do:
  • Lots of water. At least 1 liter per person.
  • Hiking shoes or sneakers.
  • Picnic lunch and/or snacks.
  • Drybag if you plan to catch a boat closer to the cave.
  • Cash for national park entrance fee and boat tickets.
  • Sunscreen
  • Comfy yet cool clothing
  • First-aid kit
Don't:
  • Flip-flops or any shoes not suitable for rocky, steep and narrow paths. 

Tech & Photography

Wifi

Public wifi access: None

Photography

Photography allowed: Yes

Tripod allowed: Yes

Selfie sticks allowed: Yes

Best time to shoot: Early Morning

Tips: Harsh lighting conditions require a tripod to capture bracketed exposures.

Drones

Drones allowed: No

Bags

Backpacks allowed: Yes

Food & Drink

1 restaurant selling basic Thai food and fruit smoothies is open on Laem Sala Beach, just below Phraya Nakhon Cave. Pricing is quite reasonable considering it's completely disconnected from the outside world. A classic Thai cashew chicken with rice costs about &#฿3,647;฿150 (USD$100,283.22)

There are more small restaurants and food stands at the Bang Po Beach carpark.

Restaurant at Laem Sala BeachRestaurant at Laem Sala Beach
Thai stir-fried cashew chicken (left), vegetable chicken (right)Thai stir-fried cashew chicken (left), vegetable chicken (right)
View of Laem Sala Beach from restaurantView of Laem Sala Beach from restaurant
Around the restaurant

Backstory

The Khuha Kharuehat Pavilion was constructed inside Phraya Nakhon cave in 1890 for the visit of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). Subsequent Thai kings have since visited the site and it’s becomethe symbol of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.

Etiquette

  • The Khuha Kharuehat Pavillion is a revered site. Be respectful and do not cross the rope boundary.
  • The path leading to the cave is quite narrow and slippery. Be considerate of other hikers and make way for them to pass when possible. 
  • There are plenty of bins within the National Park Grounds. Do not litter inside the cave.

Scorecard

Best Parts:
  • Exquisite scenery inside the cave.
  • Boat ride to the closer Laem Sala Beach.
  • Variety of attractions to see with a  Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park ticket.
Could Be Better:
  • Steep and slippery trail path. If possible, take the boat to reduce hiking distance. 
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