Ban Marong Community

Ban Marong is built around a hill, not a harbour. This OTOP Nawatwithi tourism community in Bang Saphan district, Prachuap Khiri Khan, centres on Khao Tham Ma Rong — a limestone outcrop riddled with caves — and the surrounding community forest and economic woodland the village manages collectively. Entry is free. The community reached Thailand’s community-based tourism standard in 2022 and runs its own homestays to the national homestay standard.

The centrepiece is Tham Nam Thip, a cave holding a spring locals regard as sacred; its water has reportedly been drawn for use in Thai royal ceremonies, and villagers say the pool never runs dry. Inside, stalactite-hung chambers are lined with seated Buddha images, with a large reclining Buddha in one hall. Three more caves sit nearby — Tham Sai, Tham Ploen Chit, and Tham Nam Lod — each a shorter, less-visited stop on the same hillside. Beyond the caves, the community runs guided activities around its forest: watching wild bees build honeycombs in hollow trees, a “tree bank” walk explaining how the village catalogues and protects its older trees, rides through the village on a sarleng (a converted motorised tricycle), and demonstrations of cold-pressed coconut oil extraction using traditional methods.

Insider Tip: Bring a torch or headlamp for the cave interiors — lighting inside Tham Nam Thip and the smaller caves is minimal, and a personal light makes the stalactite formations and Buddha images far easier to see.

Watch out: The cave floors can be uneven and slippery where groundwater seeps through, so wear shoes with grip rather than sandals, especially after rain.

Reaching Ban Marong means arranging transport, since the community sits away from Bang Saphan Yai’s main strip in Phong Prasat subdistrict — a motorcycle taxi or your own vehicle works better than relying on passing songthaew. It pairs well with a day that also covers Bang Saphan’s coast, such as Hat Ban Krut or the hill viewpoint at Khao Thongchai, both a short drive away. Contacting the community enterprise ahead through its Facebook page or email helps, since cave guiding and the sarleng rides run on local volunteer time rather than a fixed visitor schedule. There’s no charge to visit, but buying the honey, coconut oil, or other goods the community sells is the most direct way to support the families who keep the forest and caves maintained.