Khao Toh Payawang

Khao Toh Payawang is a limestone hill about 30 metres high, right in Satun town, riddled with shallow interconnected caves that locals call the city’s own labyrinth. It’s a municipal park rather than a garden — the draw is walking the cave passages, not a botanical collection.

Brick-paved pathways lead into the hillside caves at ground level, so no climbing or scrambling is required. The passages branch repeatedly: some lead deeper into the hill, some loop back outside, and a few dead-end — part of the appeal is the maze-like layout. Satun Municipality has installed lighting throughout the passageways, and a central pavilion with a water basin acts as an orientation point if you lose your bearings. A path also circles the outside of the hill through shaded garden areas with resting spots for anyone who’d rather stay above ground.

Watch out: A resident troop of long-tailed macaques lives on the hill, and the local council has repeatedly flagged monkey-related problems around the park, including a large purpose-built enclosure project. Keep food zipped away and don’t make eye contact or offer anything to the monkeys — treat them as wild animals, not photo props.

The park sits just off Kuha Praves Road, close to Phiman Phitthaya School and Highway 41, making it an easy stop if you’re passing through Satun on the way to the Pak Bara pier for Koh Lipe or Koh Tarutao. There’s no entry fee. Bring a torch or use your phone light as backup even with the installed lighting, wear shoes with grip for the uneven cave floors, and allow 30–45 minutes to walk the main passages and the hillside loop.