Tham Khao Wong Forest Park

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 09.00 – 16.00

 

Tham Khao Wong Forest Park in Uthai Thani Province is one of the most important nature destinations in Ban Rai District. The forest park is known for its limestone mountains, forest ecosystems, cave landscapes, wildlife habitats, headwater streams, and the impressive Phu Wai Cave. It is suitable for travelers who enjoy cave exploration, short nature walks, limestone scenery, ecological learning, and responsible nature-based tourism.

 

The forest park is located in Moo 3, Ban Rai Subdistrict, Ban Rai District, Uthai Thani Province. It covers parts of Huai Tha Kuai and Huai Krawen National Reserved Forests, with an area of about 9,000 rai. The area was first established as a forest park on 9 December 2001. Later, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment issued an announcement on 14 October 2020 to designate the national reserved forest area as a forest park, published in the Royal Gazette, Volume 137, Special Section 290 Ngor, on 14 December 2020. These designations show the area’s importance for both conservation and nature tourism.

 

The terrain of Tham Khao Wong Forest Park is mountainous and complex. Important formations include Khao Chong Lom and Khao Rup Chang, covering about 2,500 rai. The highest peak rises to about 637 meters above mean sea level. Between the two mountains is an elevated plain of about 1,000 rai. The landscape includes steep slopes, limestone ridges, valleys, streams, and forested areas, creating a varied natural environment that supports many forms of life.

 

The forest on the upper mountain areas remains relatively rich and serves as habitat for many species of wildlife. It also functions as a headwater area for Huai Mo Kho, a stream that flows through Ban Rai District. Around Khao Chong Lom, water flows throughout the year. This means the forest park is not only beautiful, but also ecologically important. It helps retain moisture, protect soil, support wildlife, and provide water resources for the surrounding landscape.

 

The vegetation of the forest park is diverse. Much of the area is mixed deciduous forest, while upper mountain zones include seasonal forest types and drier ridge forests. Moist mixed forest occurs near higher areas, and dry evergreen forest can be found along valleys, ravines, and streams. In the rainy season, some areas become especially lush and humid. Tree species include makha mong, salong, tabaek, sala, pradu, daeng, ching chan, wa, phruek, phayom, khae sai, takhro, maklam, mafan, kraphi chan, plao, san, and pheka.

 

The park also contains many plants known in traditional herbal knowledge, such as rang chuet, ya khao yen nuea, hang lai daeng, hang lai khao, rang daeng, cha phlu, sakhan, boraphet, kling klang dong, sabue lueat, makluea, krathue, orchids, pheka, bai maka, khoi, kho khlan, and sura rampha. These plants show that forest conservation is not only about scenery. It also protects local knowledge, medicinal plant resources, and biodiversity that may be valuable to both communities and ecological systems.

 

Wildlife found in the forest park includes serow, civets, wild boar, junglefowl, lizards, pheasants, monkeys, barking deer, water monitors, pangolins, mongooses, squirrels, tree shrews, wild rabbits, moles, bamboo rats, bats, and several snake species. Because the forest park is a habitat for wildlife, visitors should avoid loud noise, feeding animals, touching wildlife, disturbing cave roosts, or leaving waste. Responsible behavior helps preserve the balance of the forest and cave ecosystems.

 

Phu Wai Cave is the main attraction of Tham Khao Wong Forest Park. It is a large limestone cave formed by the action of underground water and rainwater over a long period. The cave covers more than 2 rai, with an interior height of more than 15 meters. The air inside is generally cool, and airflow passes through parts of the cave. Visitors can admire stalactites, stalagmites, stone columns, curtain-like formations, limestone pools, and natural rock sculptures shaped by time and mineral-rich water.

 

The cave visit is usually experienced in three levels. The first level features many stalactite and stalagmite formations that invite interpretation through imagination. The second level is known for limestone waterfall-like formations and tiered stone basins, where mineral deposits create shapes resembling frozen flowing water. The third level allows visitors to see the wider interior of the cave and appreciate the scale and depth of the limestone chamber.

 

Phu Wai Cave has an opening that connects through to the other side of the mountain, allowing better ventilation than many closed caves. Even so, parts of the cave are very dark. Visitors should bring a flashlight and follow the route recommended by forest park staff. A typical visit takes about 40 to 60 minutes, depending on walking speed, group size, and the amount of time spent observing the formations.

 

The cave is also home to several bat species, making it important for biodiversity. Bats play ecological roles such as controlling insects, dispersing seeds, and maintaining natural balance. Visitors should avoid shouting, using harsh lights, disturbing roosting areas, or touching cave surfaces. A cave is not only a tourist attraction; it is also a habitat for living organisms adapted to a specific environment.

 

Behind Phu Wai Cave is Tham Thep Mali, also known as Tham Phaya Naga, a smaller and deeper cave with stalactites and stalagmites. The Phu Wai summit reaches about 700 meters above sea level and offers wide views of the surrounding landscape. The ridge contains dry dipterocarp forest that remains in good condition. This makes the area attractive to travelers interested in caves, limestone mountains, forest ecology, and scenic viewpoints.

 

The climate varies by season. The average annual temperature is about 26–28 degrees Celsius, while seasonal temperatures can vary widely. The cool season and early morning are generally the most comfortable times to visit. During the rainy season, the forest becomes greener and more vibrant, but trails and rocky surfaces may be slippery. Visitors should check weather conditions and prepare footwear suitable for soil, rock, and cave walking.

 

From Bangkok, travelers can use Highway 340 toward Suphan Buri. Before reaching the turn into Suphan Buri city, turn left onto Highway 357 for about 14 km, then turn left onto Highway 3264 toward Sa Krachon Junction. From there, turn right onto Highway 333, pass Dan Chang District for about 37 km, and at Dan Chang Junction turn left toward the local Ban Rai – Ban I Lup route for about 6 km. Then turn left toward Khao Wong, pass Wat Tham Khao Wong, and continue to Khao Chong Lom and Phu Wai Cave. The total distance from Bangkok is about 230 km.

 

Getting There from Uthai Thani town is straightforward by private car. Take Highway 3011 toward Ban Rai District, pass the Chao Pho Khao Rak curve, then turn right at the junction onto the local Ban Rai – Ban I Lup route for about 6 km. Continue by turning left toward Khao Wong, pass Wat Tham Khao Wong, and proceed to Khao Chong Lom and Phu Wai Cave. The distance from Uthai Thani town is about 45 km. Private transport is the most practical option because the forest park is in a natural area outside the town center.

 

Visitors should prepare carefully before entering the cave. Recommended items include a flashlight, non-slip footwear, drinking water, and comfortable clothing suitable for walking uphill and inside a cave. Avoid carrying unnecessary heavy bags. Do not climb on stalactites or stalagmites, touch fragile cave formations, write on rocks, or remove any natural material from the cave. Cave formations take a very long time to develop, and small damage may be irreversible.

 

Tham Khao Wong Forest Park is best visited with an awareness of conservation. The area includes forest, headwater streams, wildlife, caves, and nearby communities. Good visitors should take all rubbish out, stay on the designated route, avoid disturbing animals, and follow staff instructions. Responsible tourism helps protect the forest park so future visitors can experience the same natural beauty.

 

The forest park can be combined with other attractions in Ban Rai District. Nearby places include Wat Tham Khao Wong, Ban Natapho Lao Khrang weaving community, Saow Hai Farmers Market Banrai, the Giant Tree at Ban Sanam, and Phu Pang Sawan Herb Garden. A one-day trip can focus on Phu Wai Cave and Wat Tham Khao Wong, while a two-day trip allows more time for community culture, local food, and nature-based exploration in Ban Rai.

 

Overall, Tham Khao Wong Forest Park is a valuable natural area in Uthai Thani for conservation, education, and tourism. Phu Wai Cave is the highlight, with its limestone formations, cave chambers, bats, and short adventure experience. At the same time, the surrounding forest protects headwater streams, medicinal plants, wildlife, and limestone ecosystems. A visit here offers more than cave scenery; it offers a direct experience of why forest and cave conservation matter.

 

 

A: Tham Khao Wong Forest Park is located in Ban Hin Tum, Moo 3, Ban Rai Subdistrict, Ban Rai District, Uthai Thani Province, covering parts of Huai Tha Kuai and Huai Krawen National Reserved Forests.

 

A: Phu Wai Cave is a large limestone cave with stalactites, stalagmites, limestone waterfall formations, stone basins, spacious chambers, and several bat species.

 

A: The forest park and Phu Wai Cave are open daily from 09.00 to 16.00, and the cave visit usually takes about 40 to 60 minutes.

 

A: Visitors should bring a flashlight, non-slip shoes, drinking water, and suitable clothing for walking uphill and inside a dark limestone cave.

 

A: The forest park is suitable for travelers interested in caves, limestone mountains, forest ecology, wildlife habitats, photography, and conservation-based travel.

 

A: Yes. Wat Tham Khao Wong is close to the route toward Phu Wai Cave, making it easy to combine both places in a nature and temple route in Ban Rai District.

 

A: Nearby places include Wat Tham Khao Wong, Ban Natapho, Saow Hai Farmers Market Banrai, the Giant Tree at Ban Sanam, and Phu Pang Sawan Herb Garden.