Wat Ban Tham, Kanchanaburi

History

Wat Ban Tham is a cave temple beside the Khwae Noi river.

What to see

The temple features a long staircase leading into a dragon's mouth. Inside the dragon's head are murals depicting scenes from the classic Thai novel Khun Chang Khun Phaen, particularly the scene where Khun Phaen murders the preganant Nang Buakhli to make a Guman Thong spirit helper from her unborn baby. There is a stone shaped like Nang Buakhli inside the cave as well as a statue of the Guman Thong.

The cave has a metal gate which may be locked if the temple staff are elsewhere. Normally, Thai visitors are shown up some stairs (shoes off inside the cave) and up the hill to receive a blessing from a monk at a small shrine.

Getting there

The temple is about 10km from the town center and can be reached by motorcycle.

Updated: December 13, 2011.

Wat Ban Tham Cave Kanchanaburi dragon staircase

Wat Ban Tham cave dragon staircase.

Wat Ban Tham Cave Kanchanaburi ruesee

Statue of hermit (reusee) at Wat Ban Tham cave.

Wat Ban Tham Cave Kanchanaburi Buddha statue

Wat Ban Tham cave Buddha statue.

Wat Ban Tham Cave Kanchanaburi Nang Buakhli

Stone shaped like Nang Buakhli at Wat Ban Tham cave.