Categories > Guides and Tips

Everything You Need to Know about Tham Lod Cave
- Where is Tham Lod Cave?
- Things to Know
- How to Get to Tham Lod Cave
- What to See and Do in Tham Lod Cave
- Ride a bamboo raft inside Tham Lod Cave
- Admire the cave’s unique rock formations
- Explore Tham Lod Cave’s 3 interconnected caverns
- Feed the fishes swarming the cave’s entrance
- Watch out for various animals inside the caverns
- Paddle your way through Tham Lod Cave
- Where to Eat and Drink in and Near Tham Lod Cave
- Tham Lod Cave Parking Area
- Sweet & Salty Restaurant & Café at Pen Cave Homestay
- Cave Lodge Restaurant
- Where to Shop in and Near Tham Lod Cave
- Pang Mapha Market
- Lotus’s Go Fresh Pai
- Pai Walking Street
- Where to Stay in and Near Tham Lod Cave
- Cave Lodge
- Pen Cave Homestay
- Jungle Guesthouse
- FAQs about Tham Lod Cave
Tham Lod Cave is a top-tier day trip destination from Pai. It’s a breathtaking limestone cave known for its one-of-a-kind rock formations, interconnected river tunnels, and biodiverse cave ecosystem.
This ancient cave is particularly well-known for stalactites and stalagmites of unique shapes and sizes. It’s no accident it’s one of Thailand’s most famous go-to cave destinations among casual travelers and serious spelunkers!
Unmarred by development, Tham Lod Cave is certainly a must-see for nature lovers, especially since it’s only an hour away from Pai Town.
Where is Tham Lod Cave?

Tham Lod Cave is at the south end of Tham Lod Subdistrict. It’s along the rural road towards Wat Tham Lod and Mae Lang River.
Things to Know
Location: 107 Moo 1, Tham Lot, Pang Mapha District, Mae Hong Son, Thailand
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Admission Costs:
- 300 baht (solo + rafting)
- 600 baht (3 people + rafting)
How to Get to Tham Lod Cave
Bus/minivan: You can get to Tham Lod Cave from Bangkok by boarding a provincial bus to Pai at the Mochit Bus Terminal. There are direct buses to Pai Town, but some may only take you to Chiang Mai so be prepared to change buses.
Once you reach Pai Town, your only options are motorbike taxis or self-driving a rental scooter. The cave is still a 1-hour drive north of Pai, making the total travel duration for this method approximately 14 hours.
Train: Boarding a train at Bangkok’s Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station is cheaper but can only take you as far as Chiang Mai. From there, you must find a bus to Pai and transfer to a motorbike taxi or self-drive a rental scooter to Tham Lod Cave.
This method should take approximately 15 hours so it’s only ideal if you have plenty of time to spare for this trip.
Plane: If you want to get to Tham Lod Cave faster, we recommend booking a flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai instead. Afterward, you still need to head to Pai and get to the cave using a rental scooter or a motorbike taxi.
This option is faster, so expect to get to Tham Lod Cave in approximately 8 hours.
What to See and Do in Tham Lod Cave
Ride a bamboo raft inside Tham Lod Cave
Media credit: janicasjourney
Riding a bamboo raft is necessary to get into the inner chambers of Tham Lod Cave. In fact, the river inside is an important part of the cave system since it’s how visitors can get around to its different chambers or cave rooms.
That’s why you must carry enough cash to pay for the bamboo raft, making it your obligatory entrance fee. Keep in mind that the locals operate these rafts, so you only need to stay in place and enjoy the unique sights inside the cave.
But their service is only limited to getting you around, so don’t expect to get any juicy information about the cave unless you bring a local guide. Still, they’ll help you get through the cave safely and provide the oil lamp you’ll use as a light source.
Admire the cave’s unique rock formations
Media credit: cormacpara
One of Tham Lod Cave’s biggest draws is its unique rock formations. If you like taking landscape and rock photos, you’ll certainly have a field day capturing postcard-perfect shots of the cave’s numerous stalactites and stalagmites.
Check out how bizarre some of the cave’s rock formations look, so expect to get some funny-looking photos as well. This includes stalactites and stalagmites that resemble a woman’s bosom and phallic shapes.
But bear in mind that the locals’ oil lamps may not offer enough light to see many of the cave’s rock formations, so we suggest bringing a strong flashlight as well. This should give you a better chance of seeing around the cave’s wider and taller chambers.
Explore Tham Lod Cave’s 3 interconnected caverns
Media credit: sabclick
Tham Lod Cave boasts 3 main caverns: Coffin Cave, Column Cave, and Doll Cave. Exploring all these caverns gives you the best chance to see and capture photos of the cave system’s unique rock formations.
The serious spelunkers on our team love the challenging adventure! You’ll need to slip through narrow passages, cross chest-deep waterways, and climb steep rock walls if you plan to see all the sights within Tham Lod Cave.
For instance, you must climb a steep rock wall to see the coffin-shaped rock formation in Coffin Cave. Be sure to wear proper footwear and headgear and carry plenty of water to explore these caverns more easily.
Feed the fishes swarming the cave’s entrance
Media credit: erikasidor
If you have a soft spot for fish, Tham Lod Cave’s river is home to thousands of catfish and carp, so it’s definitely worth visiting. They’re accustomed to humans, forming massive swarms at the entrance where the bamboo rafts are docked.
They’ll also swim close to the shallow parts of the river when people walk close because they expect to get fish food. You can buy these from the locals operating the bamboo rafts but they’re also available as a bundle with the rafting fee.
You can also feed fish while your bamboo raft is inside the deeper parts of the cave, so don’t throw them all near the entrance.
Watch out for various animals inside the caverns
Media credit: woutbijnens
Though Tham Lod Cave is mostly known for its swarms of fish, its cave system is also home to various wild animals. This includes large snakes, bats, spiders, geckos, and more.
It’s common to see sheddings or snakeskins in the cavities inside the cave, so be careful walking into rock walls where snakes may be hiding. Don’t worry, exploring the cave is fairly safe if you watch where you go and follow your local guide.
With that in mind, remember to bring a handy flashlight (light from your handy phone won’t cut it) as the cave is enormous and it’s pitch black. Also, bring a headgear or hat to protect your head from bat droppings which can be really messy.
Paddle your way through Tham Lod Cave
Media credit: karenslovinlife
Riding a bamboo raft inside Tham Lod Cave is fun, but nothing beats paddling your way through its river on a kayak, which are available via local guided tours.
You can opt to paddle a 2 or 3-seater kayak with a guide or operate a 1-seater kayak on your own. Just note that some of the caverns you can explore on your kayak will depend on the season.
For instance, only Column Cave is available during the wet season because the higher water level prevents entry into the narrow waterways to the other caverns.
Visit during the dry season from November to May if you want to ride your kayak to Doll Cave and Coffin Cave. Some guided tours also offer whitewater rafts in case you prefer them over kayaks.
Where to Eat and Drink in and Near Tham Lod Cave
Tham Lod Cave Parking Area
Media credit: claudsabroads
Address: Tham Lod, Pang Mapha District
Pricing: ฿
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for budget Thai food
The parking area in Tham Lod Cave has lines of local eateries and food stalls so it’s definitely the most convenient place to get food during your visit. These shops serve a wide range of affordable Thai dishes and snacks, perfect if you love food variety.
This includes popular local specialties like pad Thai, spicy Thai basil chicken, fried rice, dried noodles, and more. If you only have room for snacks, we also recommend trying fried bananas, fried potatoes, fish balls, squid balls, etc.
You’ll also get a good selection of drinks, from soda to bottled water, coffee, and beer.
Sweet & Salty Restaurant & Café at Pen Cave Homestay
Media from pencavehomestay
Address: Tham Lot, Pang Mapha District
Phone: +66 87 175 4384
Pricing: ฿
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for Thai food, coffee
Sweet & Salty Restaurant and Café charming place for foodies who like scenic views, a relaxed atmosphere, and good coffee. Their open-air dining area offers a panoramic view of the lush greenery surrounding the cafe!
A highlight is their uncomplicated food menu, which focuses on popular local specialties, including tom yum, green curry, and pad Thai. They also use ingredients from their garden, perfect for fans of organic food.
For drinks, our top picks are their freshly brewed homegrown coffee and kombucha. If you have a sweet tooth, their ice creams, fruit shakes, and cakes are also a must-try.
Cave Lodge Restaurant
Media credit: wanderlustlama
Address: 15 Moo 1, Tham Lod, Pang Mapha District
Phone: +66 53 617 203
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 10 a.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for Thai and international food
The aptly named Cave Lodge is just a mere 10-minute walk from Tham Lod Cave car park. Their menu also includes local Shan specialties like gaeng hung lay, vegetable curry, and more.
But, their best sellers are their pizza (made from homemade dough) and special chicken dinner. Cave Lodge has a bakery, so expect a variety of high-quality breads as well!
Where to Shop in and Near Tham Lod Cave
Pang Mapha Market
Media credit: aekhesiiyaicchethaanan
Address: 123/6 Moo 6, Sop Pong Subdistrict, Pang Mapha District
Phone: +66 53 617 073
Pricing: ฿
Operating Hours: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for budget shoppers
At Pang Mapha Market, you can browse scores of local shops and stalls for a wide range of fresh products and handicrafts. Expect vegetables and fruits, seafood and meat, and dried and fresh Thai ingredients like sun-dried fish and curry paste.
You can also find many affordable souvenir items and household goods. Think traditional Thai clothing, fabric, accessories, and more.
There are many street food vendors as well so you’re covered for snacks and drinks while shopping in this market.
Lotus’s Go Fresh Pai
Media credit: __ploykan
Address: 81, 1, Wiang Tai
Phone: +66 065 517 2372
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for groceries
Lotus’s Go Fresh Pai is an excellent supermarket chain, so it’s definitely one of the best places to shop for groceries and essentials. But keep in mind that it’s in Pai Town.
This supermarket has a large array of fresh products, so expect meat, seafood, fruits, and vegetables. You’re also covered for items like personal care products, cosmetics, and more.
Pai Walking Street
Address: Wiang Tai, Pai District
Phone: +66 2 267 0412
Pricing: ฿
Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for souvenirs, street food
Pai Walking Street is a solid place to shop, especially if you’re looking for affordable clothes, bags, shoes, and various knick-knacks. Since it’s a traditional market, you can haggle to your heart’s content!
It’s also filled with street food stalls and shops selling traditional Thai snacks. Think dried nuts, BBQ skewers, sweet desserts, and more.
Where to Stay in and Near Tham Lod Cave
Cave Lodge
Media credit: james.green
Address: 15 Moo 1, Tham Lod, Pang Mapha District
Phone: +66 53 617 203
Pricing: ฿
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 10 a.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for backpackers
Cave Lodge is arguably the most popular lodging house near Tham Lod Cave. It’s particularly a hit among backpackers because it offers unpretentious wooden bungalows and budget-friendly dorm rooms that house up to 10 guests.
Some bungalows also have private balconies with hammocks, perfect for outdoor relaxation and soaking in their property’s stunning natural scenery. Their guided tours to the cave are a plus, especially if you value convenience.
This place is along Mae Lang River so you can ride their rafts or kayaks directly to Tham Lod Cave. They also provide tours to other nearby caves, so don’t forget to inquire about them as well.
Pen Cave Homestay
Media from pencavehomestay
Address: 143 Moo 1, Tham Lod, Pang Mapha District
Phone: +66 87 175 4384
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 1 p.m. (Check-in) & 11:30 a.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for couples, families
Pen Cave Homestay is a charming guesthouse tucked away in a quiet tree-lined neighborhood, so it’s definitely worth considering if you want peace and privacy. It also has an excellent location because it’s only a 3-minute drive to Tham Lod Cave.
Their Thai-style wooden bungalows aren’t air-conditioned but their fans, mosquito nets, and en-suite bathrooms should still make you feel cozy. However, this guesthouse’s best feature is its lush garden.
There, you can observe a wide range of colorful flowers, fruits, and vegetables. It’s also great for relaxing morning and afternoon strolls.
Jungle Guesthouse
Media credit: bifern_intira
Address: 200 Sop Pong, Pang Mapha District
Phone: +66 94 828 3865
Pricing: ฿
Operating Hours: 11:30 a.m. (Check-in & Check-out)
Good to know: Good for nature lovers
For fans of relaxed nature settings, Jungle Guesthouse is an excellent option. It boasts a scenic hillside location surrounded by lines of trees, so expect to get superb mountain and hill views from their wooden bungalows.
The bungalows here focus on affordability and functionality. For a cheap price, you get a sizable room with a separate sitting area, an en-suite bathroom, and a large bed with a thick mattress.
If you like observing animals, you’ll be pleased to know their garden also attracts birds and butterflies.