Pathèm (Tham)

DREYBRODT JOERG informations

Frédéric Urien - 23/06/2024

History:To the right of the entrance one can traverse for a few metres to a 5 m deep hole with a bamboo floor indicating that Tham Pathèm was inhabited in the past. There was also an inscription in Lao language where an unmarried woman requests Buddha’s assistance for marriage to a man [5158] Explo history: --26.10.2000 explored & surveyed to 37 m by AMIS Laos Expedition 2000 (NL) [5128] Cave description: Citation: Analysis: [5158]: The cave consists of a wide tunnel, which leads straight into the mountain for about 30 metres and becomes very high towards the end. Here, a few old Buddha statues were found. The passage continues in a very tight crawl for a few more metres until it dead-ends. Close to the entrance a small passage of 1.5 metres of length contains three old Buddha statues. To the right of the entrance one can traverse for a few metres to a 5 m deep hole with a bamboo floor indicating that Tham Pathèm was inhabited in the past. There was also an inscription in Lao language where an unmarried woman requests Buddha’s assistance for marriage to a man >> survey >> shown on map [6415]: only shown in map [5128]: >> survey >> shown on map Equipment: Remarks: References: [5128]: Damen, F., Eskes, D., Burgers, J., Meijer, P. & Damen, F. sr. 2003: Amis Laos Caving Expedition 2000. Expedition Report of the first Dutch caving Expedition in Lao P.D.R. 104 pp, 4 maps. [5158]: Dreybrodt, J. & Laumanns, M. (eds.) 2005: The unknown North of Laos (Karst and Caves of the Provinces Luang Phrabang and Luang Nam Tha). Berliner Höhlenkundliche Berichte 16. 105 pp & Annex. [6415]: Dreybrodt, J. & Laumanns, M. (eds.) 2008: The Unknown North of Laos. Part 2 - 2006-2008: Karst and Caves of the Provinces Luang Phrabang, Luang Nam Tha, Xieng Khouang, Houaphan and Vientiane. - Berliner Höhlenkundliche Berichte 32. 143 pp.