Phrathat Charoen Dham Cave (Bo Pla Cave)

Phrathat Charoen Dham Cave — also known locally as Bo Pla Cave, part of Wat Tham Bo Pla — sits in Song Khon subdistrict, Kaeng Khoi district, about 22 kilometres out from Saraburi town along the Mittraphap road toward Nakhon Ratchasima. The one detail that trips up most visitors: it isn’t open daily. The cave operates only on Saturdays and Sundays, 08:00 to 18:00, and stays closed the rest of the week — plan around that before making the drive.

A marble-paved walkway leads to the entrance, and inside, the cave splits into three chambers. The first, Tham Bo Pla (“fish pond cave”), has fish swimming through pooled water — the source of the site’s popular name. The second, Tham Thong Phra Rong, holds stalactite and stalagmite formations that local visitors have nicknamed after Guan Yin and the Hok Lok Siu figures, based on the shapes the mineral deposits happen to form. The third chamber breaks into several smaller connected rooms with further stalactite formations. A large stucco Buddha image — gold-lacquered, in the Ayutthaya-style Maravijaya (earth-touching) posture and known locally as Luang Pho Yai — sits in the main hall, discovered and established here by Luang Pho Somsak Suradhammo, a monk who came across the cave while on a walking pilgrimage through the area.

Insider Tip: Go early on the Saturday or Sunday morning it’s open — the cave draws day-trippers from Bangkok and Saraburi once word gets around, and the main chambers get crowded by early afternoon.

Watch out: The limestone floor is uneven and can be slippery, especially near the water in Tham Bo Pla. Bring a light jacket — the interior stays noticeably cooler than outside, a welcome change from Saraburi’s heat but a surprise if you’re not expecting it.

The cave functions as an active place of worship as well as a natural attraction, so dress and behave as you would at any Thai temple. Combine the trip with Phra Phothisat Cave, also in Kaeng Khoi district, if you’re spending a full weekend day exploring the district’s cave temples.