Tham Mae Ga Noi [MH0093]
18.566671,97.949993
Location
In remote country north east of the H108, 96.5 km south of Mae Hong Son and 67.6 km north of Mae Sariang. Close to kilometre post 170 take a rough track heading up and along a ridge for 3.5 km. This track was probably once driveable, but currently only so for the first 100 m. Just before a slight dip in the main ridge head west down a side ridge for 100 m then north along the side of a steep valley for another 100 m to the small cave entrance halfway up the hillside.
Description
This cave was planned to be a major tourist attraction with a special 3 km trail built right up to the cave entrance. The trail is now in a dilapidated condition and the cave itself seems to have been abandoned to its fate. An inconspicuous hole in the hillside leads down into a surprisingly spacious chamber 50 m across with a large gilt Buddha which is nevertheless dwarfed by the grandeur of the natural setting. The far end of the chamber rises up over large boulders to a short passage leading into a completely dark inner chamber 10 m across with some attractive formations, but no obvious way on.
Documents
Bibliography 17/05/2020- +Anon. (2011b) "Baseline study for ecotourism development in Mae Hong Son" Final mission report by Thailand Community Based Tourism Institute (CBT-I) for the United Nations Joint Program on Integrated Highland Livelihood Development in Mae Hong Son, Output 1.3: Ecotourism. June 2011. 175p +DUNKLEY, JOHN ROBERT (1995) "The Caves of Thailand" Speleological Research Council, Sydney ISBN 0-9589253-9-9 +PRICE, LIZ (1988) "Whitsun Under The Golden Triangle" Cerberus Spelaeological Society Journal Vol. 18 No. 3 pp65-68 +SIDISUNTHORN, PINDAR; GARDNER, SIMON; SMART, DEAN (2006) "Caves of Northern Thailand" River Books, Thailand, ISBN 9749863135 +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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16.6 | Tham Pha Tum Muang - MH0291 | 120 | 0 |
| 19.0 | Tham Kaeo Komon - MH0243 | 120 | 33 |
| 20.0 | Tham Mae Hu 2 - MH0276 | ||
| 20.1 | Tham Mae Hu 1 - MH0274 | 80 | 0 |
| 21.1 | Crystal Mae La Noi 2 Cave - MH0275 | 50 | 0 |
| 30.0 | Tham Huai Pa - MH0294 | ||
| 32.9 | Tham Cha Row Tae De - MH0297 | ||
| 34.3 | Tham Pha Daeng - MH0298 | 200 | 60 |
| 34.5 | Tham Ko Koa - MH0295 |