Tham Thep Nimit - KR0179
8.394205,98.697842
Location
At the crossroads in the old town of Ao Luek take the road that heads north towards Ban Khao Lom. About 4 km there is a road on the left which goes towards Tham Lot Tai and Tham Phi Hua To. You soon come to a sign, in Thai, which directs you through the palm plantation to reach the back of the wat. It is easier to continue along the road to a Y junction and then turn right towards Ban Tham Sua. The wat is signed on the right after 100 m.
Description
Behind the main wat building some steps down at the base of the limestone tower give access to a stream passage. To the right goes for about 30m to where the stream sinks at another point at the bottom of the cliff. To the left a 2m wide by 4m high vadose stream passge meanders for about 100m before the stream exits at the other side of the ridge. From this stream exit a path up to the left leads up to a straight, dry, rift passage that also goes through the ridge. A couple of small holes on the left link to the stream cave. Higher up again a ladder gives access to a couple of chambers that link to the middle cave and there are two daylight holes to the other side of the ridge. The two dry caves are full of marine shells which may be of archaeological interest. This is a good little trip and we were led by the one-armed man who guides to Tham Orahan and a dog.
Fauna
Leopoldamys sabanus Jentinck, 1879 (Chordata: Mammalia: Rodentia: Muridae) (Latinne et al. 2013) Sundamys muelleri (Jentink, 1879) (Chordata: Mammalia: Rodentia: Muridae) (Latinne et al. 2013)
Documents
Bibliography 02/11/2019- HALLIDAY, WILLIAM R. (2002) "Caves in Krabi" pers. com. to Dean Smart LATINNE, ALICE; WAENGSOTHORN, SURACHIT; ROJANADILOK, PRATEEP; EIAMAMPAI, KRAIRAT; SRIBUAROD, KRIANGSAK; MICHAUX, JOHAN R. (2013) "Diversity and endemism of Murinae rodents in Thai limestone karsts" Systematics and Biodiversity Vol. 11 online 22pp VOGT, NILS B. (2013) "Temple Caves & Grottoes in Thailand: A Picture-Guide Book" Booksmango, Bangkok ISBN 978-616-222-160-6 214pp
Caves nearby
| Distance (km) | Name | Length (m) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | Tham Sua Nok - KR0180 | 30 | 0 |
| 0.1 | Tham Orahan - KR0115 | 100 | 0 |
| 0.5 | Cave KR0302 | 30 | 0 |
| 1.8 | Tham Phi Hua To - KR0019 | 105 | 0 |
| 1.9 | Tham Phra - KR0181 | ||
| 1.9 | Tham Lot Tai - KR0018 | 126 | 0 |
| 1.9 | Tham Hua Kalok Nua [KR0097] | 200 | 0 |
| 2.2 | Tham Lagoon - KR0213 | 20 | 0 |
| 2.4 | Tham Thip Pridaram - KR0240 |