Makham (Tham)

DREYBRODT JOERG informations

Frédéric Urien - 23/06/2024

History: Our guides told us that the holy man that recently lived in the cave was regularly consulted by the villagers due to his ability to cure illnesses, which created potential conflict with the communist government. Consequently, the inhabitant of the cave was jailed. After his release he never returned to his hermitage [5158] Explo history: - 08.01.2004 explored and surveyed to 119m by German Lao Speleological Project 2003/2004 [5158] Cave description: Large chamber which can be accessed by means of a wooden ladder. In the chamber are old wooden installations and stages that provide evidence of the former presence of a holy man in the cave. Some Buddha statues can be found in the chamber. Nearly the whole interior of the cave has been made accessible by steps and ladders. A steep passage leading down from the chamber in its E extension has sporting wooden constructions which cross a dead-end pitch. Citation: Analysis: [5158]: The entrance passage passes several other skylight holes and leads down to a large chamber which can be accessed by means of a wooden ladder. The chamber is illuminated by more entrances in the cliff of the hill and has an extremely scenic ”Indiana-Jones-style” charac-ter due to old wooden installations and stages that provide evidence of the former presence of a holy man in the cave. Some Buddha statues can be found in the chamber. Nearly the whole interior of the cave has been made accessible by steps and ladders. A steep passage leading down from the chamber in its E extension has sporting wooden constructions which cross a dead-end pitch which continues down for about 7 m. The western section of the cave is well deco rated and steeply ascends from the main chamber to reach more entrances in the cliff of the hill. Tham Makham has noteworthy tourist potential >> survey >> shown in map Equipment: Remarks: References: [4846]: Dreybrodt, J. & Laumanns, M. 2003: Der unbekannte Norden von Laos - Ergebnisse eines Erkundungsprojekts. Mitt. Verb. Dt. Höhlen- und Karstforsch. 49 (2): 38-41. [4847]: Dreybrodt, J. & Laumanns, M. 2003: Northern Laos Christmas 2002. Expedition to Muang Ngoy & Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. Unpublished Report, 20pp. [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. [5493]: Zillig, W. 2005: Laos 2003-04. URL: www.student.kuleuven.ac.be/~s0167070/expeditions/l…