Tham Khao Phlu Hot Spring

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.30 – 18.00

 

Tham Khao Phlu Hot Spring is located in Moo 2, Ban Duad, Suan Taeng Subdistrict, Lamae District, Chumphon Province. It is one of Lamae’s notable health-oriented natural attractions and a convenient stop for travelers using Highway 41. The site is known for natural mineral hot spring water emerging from the ground at the foot of Khao Phlu. Its three main hot spring sources have poetic Thai names: Uea Ari Than Thip, Amarit Thara, and Phrueksa Chon Tharn. The shaded setting, limestone hill, forest atmosphere, and mineral bathing facilities make this a suitable place for relaxation, warm mineral bathing, and a calm nature break in southern Chumphon.

 

Tham Khao Phlu Hot Spring is distinctive because it combines mineral hot springs, a limestone hill, a cave setting, and local greenery in one area. The name “Khao Phlu” is connected with the hill and local vegetation, including wild betel plants that grow in the area. The hot water here is not artificially heated; it is natural thermal mineral water that rises from underground. This gives the site value both as a wellness stop and as a simple natural learning point related to geothermal activity.

 

The hot spring area is spacious and surrounded by trees and limestone terrain. Compared with normal roadside stops, the environment feels cooler and more peaceful. Visitors entering the site can experience shade from large trees, moisture from the hot spring steam, and the rural atmosphere of Lamae District. This makes the hot spring suitable for slow travel rather than a rushed stop.

 

The three main hot spring pools are the core of the attraction. Uea Ari Than Thip, Amarit Thara, and Phrueksa Chon Tharn are fed by naturally heated mineral water rising from the ground. Visitors should not touch water directly from a source before checking the temperature, because natural hot spring water can be hotter than ordinary warm water. The safest way to enjoy the site is to use the designated communal pool, private bathing rooms, or bathing areas managed for visitors.

 

Mineral bathing is the main activity at Tham Khao Phlu Hot Spring. Visitors can use the communal bathing pool, private rooms, or mineral bathing facilities depending on availability. A warm mineral bath can help the body feel relaxed after long travel and may ease muscle tension. Visitors with heart disease, high blood pressure, blood vessel conditions, pregnancy, advanced age, or fatigue should keep bathing sessions short, avoid very hot water, and stop immediately if dizziness, palpitations, or discomfort occur.

 

One of the strongest practical advantages of Tham Khao Phlu Hot Spring is easy access from the main highway. From Highway 41 at around kilometer marker 92, travelers can turn toward Ban Duad and drive only a short distance to the hot spring. This makes it a useful stop for people driving south or returning north through Lamae District. Instead of stopping only at a regular rest area, visitors can spend time relaxing in a natural hot spring environment.

 

The site has been developed for health tourism, with communal bathing areas, private hot spring rooms, a mineral bathing building, and rest areas in a natural setting. These facilities allow visitors to choose the style of use that fits their needs. Budget travelers can use the communal pool, while those who prefer privacy can choose a private room according to the posted service rate. This makes the site suitable for solo travelers, couples, families, and small groups.

 

Besides mineral bathing, visitors can walk around the green surroundings and see the cave-and-hill landscape nearby. Tham Khao Phlu gives the site more dimension than a simple bathing facility. Travelers interested in limestone hills, local forests, and rural nature in Lamae District will find the environment worth exploring carefully.

 

Visitors should bring a towel, spare clothes, sandals, a bag for wet clothing, drinking water, and personal bathing items. Although the site has basic facilities, carrying personal essentials makes the visit smoother, especially during holidays or busy periods. Those who want to use a private room should allow enough time because demand can be higher on weekends.

 

Good hot spring etiquette is important. Visitors should not soak for too long, should avoid bathing immediately after a very heavy meal, should not drink alcohol before bathing, and should not let children use the pools without adult supervision. Always test the temperature first. A good visit begins with short contact, such as washing the face, wiping the body, or soaking only part of the body before increasing time according to personal comfort.

 

Families with children can visit Tham Khao Phlu Hot Spring, but adults should pay close attention to water temperature and wet surfaces. Children should not go near hot spring sources or untested water. They should use only appropriate designated areas and should not run on wet paths, as the ground around hot springs can be slippery from moisture and steam.

 

Elderly visitors should choose a cooler time of day, such as morning or late afternoon, and keep bathing sessions short. Prolonged hot-water bathing may affect the body, particularly for people with blood pressure or heart conditions. Mineral bathing should be treated as gentle relaxation, not as something to force the body through.

 

Tham Khao Phlu Hot Spring can be combined with nearby attractions in Lamae District and the surrounding area. Good route options include Hat Nong Bua, Tai Khiem Market, Hat Tawan Chai, Wat Tham Khao Kriap, and Pak Nam Lang Suan. This creates a varied itinerary combining a hot spring, beach scenery, local market atmosphere, cave temple landscape, and seafood or coastal dining.

 

Hat Nong Bua is a nearby beach option for travelers who want to add a coastal stop after bathing in the hot spring. Tai Khiem Market offers a local community atmosphere with food and local products. Together, these places help make a Lamae trip more balanced, combining wellness, nature, food, and local culture.

 

Hat Tawan Chai is another coastal attraction in the Lamae area and provides a clear contrast to the hot spring environment. Travelers can visit the hot spring in the morning, continue to Tai Khiem Market or Hat Tawan Chai in the afternoon, and finish the day with local food or an overnight stay near the coast.

 

Wat Tham Khao Kriap is suitable for visitors interested in cave temples and limestone hills. The route involves many steps, so visitors should prepare for walking. If combined with Tham Khao Phlu Hot Spring, it is best visited during a cooler part of the day with enough time for a safe ascent and descent.

 

Pak Nam Lang Suan is a wider route option for travelers who want seafood and a coastal atmosphere in Lang Suan District. It is farther than the other nearby attractions but works well for travelers with more than half a day or those continuing from Lamae toward Lang Suan.

 

Getting There is straightforward by private car, rental car, or motorcycle. From Phet Kasem Road or Highway 41, turn left at around kilometer marker 92 toward Ban Duad and continue about 500 – 700 meters to reach Tham Khao Phlu Hot Spring. Travelers using public transport can get off in Lamae District or near the junction and then use local transport to reach the hot spring.

 

The route is short and does not require entering deep forest, but first-time visitors should still check the route in advance. Daytime travel makes it easier to see signs and junctions. If arriving late in the afternoon, visitors should allow enough time before closing to pay the service fee, change clothes, and use the bathing facilities without rushing.

 

Tham Khao Phlu Hot Spring is more suitable for health tourism and relaxation than for adventure travel. Its strengths are shade, easy access, affordable service fees, and several ways to experience mineral bathing. Visitors should come with the intention of slowing down, easing travel fatigue, and spending time in a quiet natural environment.

 

Overall, Tham Khao Phlu Hot Spring adds a different dimension to Chumphon travel. It shows that the province offers more than beaches and islands. For travelers looking for natural mineral water, a calm setting, easy access from Highway 41, and nearby attractions in Lamae District, this hot spring is a practical and memorable stop.

 

 

A: Tham Khao Phlu Hot Spring is located in Moo 2, Ban Duad, Suan Taeng Subdistrict, Lamae District, Chumphon Province.

 

A: It has three natural mineral hot spring sources named Uea Ari Than Thip, Amarit Thara, and Phrueksa Chon Tharn, set in a shaded natural area at the foot of a limestone hill.

 

A: Tham Khao Phlu Hot Spring is open daily from 08.30 to 18.00.

 

A: The service fee is 20 Baht for adults, 10 Baht for children, and 100 Baht per hour for a private room.

 

A: From Highway 41, turn left around kilometer marker 92 toward Ban Duad and continue about 500 – 700 meters to reach the hot spring.

 

A: It is suitable for travelers who want relaxation, warm mineral bathing, relief from travel fatigue, and a health-oriented nature stop.

 

A: Visitors should bring a towel, spare clothes, sandals, a bag for wet clothing, drinking water, and personal bathing items.

 

A: Nearby attractions include Hat Nong Bua, Tai Khiem Market, Hat Tawan Chai, Wat Tham Khao Kriap, and Pak Nam Lang Suan.