Tham Mai Kaeo - KR0155
7.540974,99.067994
Location
Along the central island road, which connects Ko Lanta Yai's surfaced eastern road from its dirt west coast road, is Ban Klong Hin. From here a 1.5 km sign-posted track winds south through rubber plantations to the cave with the final 10 minute walk leading past a tufa waterfall to the entrance. The path is very steep and there are handline ropes in places.
Description
A small cave entrance with a short climb down leads into a large chamber, followed by another climb down a bamboo ladder into a large passage with a bamboo bridge over a deep void. The route then continues along a large passage with some very large chambers before eventually coming out of a second entrance close to the main entrance. There is reported to be a lot more passage in the cave system including a seasonal stream and has a pool where it is possible to swim. The limestone has different coloured bands and the cave doews not have many formations. A local family offer a guiding service. One member of this family also leads more adventurous treks which include visits to two remote caves.
Documents
Bibliography 02/11/2019- +ANON. (2010a) "Thailand January 2010" Orpheus Caving Club Newsletter Vol. 46 No. 4-6 pp17-20 +GEBAUER, H. DANIEL (1995) "Tham Maikeio auf Koh Lanta im Changwat Krabi" Der Abseiler No. 14 p10 +HENLEY, THOM (2003) "Krabi. Caught In The Spell" Thai Nature Education, Phuket ISBN 97491140-5-1 +Prabhu, Seema (2006) ôYour Krabi. A comprehensive guide to Krabi Province, Thailandö Blue Sky Media Co., Ltd., Krabi ISBN 974-92299-4-0 274pp
History
The first recorded visit by a speleologist was by Daniel Gebauer in 1995.
Caves nearby
| Distance (km) | Name | Length (m) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.4 | Tham Khang Khao [KR0307] | ||
| 8.9 | Tham Ko Nui Nai - KR0224 | ||
| 11.8 | Tham Hoy - KR0199 | 150 | 15 |
| 13.0 | Tham Ko Tala Beng - KR0095 | ||
| 13.3 | Tham Nam - KR0198 | ||
| 24.4 | Ko Ma Submarine Cave [KR0212] | 50 | 19 |
| 54.2 | Ko Ya Wa Bon Submarine Cave [KR0215] | 50 | 0 |
| 56.7 | Tham Song Hong [NT0104] | 900 | 140 |
| 57.3 | Tham Nam Bo - KR0207 |