Tham Mongkhon Thong - KA0001
13.984744,99.517087
Location
Well signposted on the south bank of the river, near the 6km post from Kanchanaburi in a prominent tower to the south of the H3429.
Description
There are 95 steps leading up from the large wat and food stalls (the steps have handrails of stucco Chinese dragons which were made in 1904 by a Vietnamese monk). The cave is electrically lit and most of it is cemented. To the left of the main entrance there is a shrine enclosed by a fence and locked door. Behind the shrine in the main cave passage a squeeze followed by a ladder leads to a higher, second entrance. The cave's claim to fame was the meditating 'floating nun'. The man made, small pool is to the left of main passage, but on a visit in March 2008 this was dry.
Fauna
Mongolodiaptomus botulifer (Kiefer, 1974) (Arthropoda, Crustacea, Maxilliopoda, Cyclopoida, Diaptomidae) (Boonyanusith et al. 2013b) Phyllodiaptomus praedictus Dumont et Reddy, 1994 (Arthropoda, Crustacea, Maxilliopoda, Cyclopoida, Diaptomidae) (Boonyanusith et al. 2013b) Elaphoidella bidens decorata (Sars, 1904) (Arthropoda, Crustacea, Maxilliopoda, Harpacticoida, Canthocamptidae) (Boonyanusith et al. 2013b)
Documents
Bibliography 11/08/2019- +Boonyanusith, Chaichat; Brancelj, Anton; Sanoamuang, La-orsri (2013b) "Species diversity of cave-dwelling Copepods in Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi Provinces" Proceedings of the Graduate Research Conference 2013, Khon Kaen University, Section SD01 pp33-42 +CUMMINGS, JOE (1992) "Thailand" Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd, Hawthorn, Victoria +DOR+, CHRISTOPHE (2012) ôEn Tha´lande dans le secret des grottes de Bouddhaö Le Figaro 10 February 2012 +DUNKLEY, JOHN ROBERT (1995) "The Caves of Thailand" Speleological Research Council, Sydney ISBN 0-9589253-9-9 +Halliday, William R. (1988) "Island Karst and Temple Caves of Thailand: A 1987 Reconnaissance" Cascade Caver Vol. 27 No. 1, January-February 1988, pp6-10, reprinted in Geo2 Vol. 15 No. 1/3 p31 [abstract] and in Journal of Spelean History Vol. 22 No. 2 pp21-22 [abstract] +Kaczamarek, Michael; Kaczamarek, Helen (1971) "Caving in Thailand" The Speleothem, Shining Mountains Grotto, Bozeman, Montana Vol. 6 No. 2 Winter 1971 pp2-7 reprinted in Cascade Caver Vol. 11 No. 5 May 1972 pp2-5 +Kusch, Heinrich (1975) "H÷hlen in Laos, Nord- und Westthailand - H÷hlengebiete S³dostasiens III" Die Hohle Vol. 26 No. 4 pp113-123 +Kusch, Heinrich (1982a) "Ergebnisse spelaologischer forschungen in Thailand (Stand 1978)" Die Hohle Vol. 33 No. 2 pp59-69 +LAORPAKSA, SOMYOT; YINGYONG, AURAPIN; THOONGUWAN, SANTI; PONGSOPIDA, AREERAT (1987) "Study on Antibiotic-producing Actinomycetes from Cave Soil in Central Region of Thailand" Journal of the Natural Resources Council of Thailand Vol. 19 No. 1 pp61-79 +MUNIER, CHRISTOPHE (1998) "Sacred Rocks and Buddhist Caves in Thailand" White Lotus Co. Ltd, Bangkok ISBN 974-8434-19-2 266pp +PRICE, LIZ (1985) "Travels in Thailand" Cerberus Spelaeological Society Journal Vol. 15 No. 6 November/December 1985 pp143-145 +VOGT, NILS B. (2013) "Temple Caves & Grottoes in Thailand: A Picture-Guide Book" Booksmango, Bangkok ISBN 978-616-222-160-6 214pp +WHITEHEAD PAUL (n.d. b) "Buddhist Cave Shrines in Kanchanaburi" Wildlife Thailand blog www.wildlifethailand.com/blog/sitemap/79-buddhist-… (accessed September 2012)
Caves nearby
| Distance (km) | Name | Length (m) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | Tham Mai Thong - KA0004 | ||
| 0.2 | Tham Sai - KA0005 | ||
| 1.6 | Tham Khao Laem - KA0002 | 300 | 30 |
| 1.7 | Tham Khao Chang - KA0323 | ||
| 1.8 | Tham Mai - KA0295 | ||
| 2.2 | Tham Maklua - KA0041 | 200 | 15 |
| 2.8 | Tham Phetcharat Khuha [KA0314] | ||
| 2.8 | Tham Ruesi [KA0534] | ||
| 3.2 | Cave KA0580 |