This is the Mae Usu Cave near Ban Mae Kasa, in Mae Sot district — not to be confused with the similarly named Mae Usu Cave roughly 70 km away in Mae Moei National Park, Tha Song Yang district, which is a completely different site (a warm river cave open only in the dry season). This one is a dry hillside cave reached by climbing up rather than wading in, and it’s known locally for the legend behind its name rather than for a river running through it.
Getting to the entrance takes some effort: a 500-metre walk from the road followed by around 800 steps cut into the hillside. Inside, the cave opens into 13 connected chambers hung with stalactites and stalagmites, home to a large bat colony — locals describe the numbers as being in the millions during peak roosting periods. At the cave’s deepest point sits a natural spring pool that local visitors regard as sacred. Afternoon light, roughly 13:00 to 16:00, streams in through openings in the rock and is generally reckoned the best time to see the formations properly lit.
The cave takes its name from Chao Mae Usa, said to have been the consort of Chao Pho Phawo, a locally venerated guardian figure. According to the story, she fled here with her followers during a Burmese invasion, gave birth to a child inside the cave while in hiding, and spent the rest of her life in it. Small shrine elements inside the cave nod to this history rather than to a standard Buddhist temple layout — this is a legend site as much as a geological one.
Insider Tip: Book a guide ahead of your visit rather than counting on finding one at the cave. Tourism here has thinned out enough that most of the villagers who used to guide full-time have moved on to other work, so a same-day arrangement isn’t guaranteed. Where guiding is available, expect to pay around 300 THB per group for a full visit of roughly three hours.
Watch out: the climb is genuinely steep, and the steps can be uneven and slippery after rain. Bring your own flashlight as backup even with a guide, and wear shoes with real grip rather than sandals.
Combine the visit with Mae Kasa Hot Springs, a short walk from the cave trailhead, or continue north on Highway 105 toward Mae Sot for the rest of the day.
- Location: Ban Mae Kasa, Mae Kasa subdistrict, Mae Sot district, roughly 26 km from Mae Sot town
- Access: 500 m walk plus around 800 steps up the hillside
- Inside: 13 chambers, a large bat colony, a sacred spring pool at the deepest point
- Guide: Not official, but effectively required — arrange ahead, roughly 300 THB per group
- Not to be confused with: the Mae Usu river cave inside Mae Moei National Park, Tha Song Yang district, ~70 km away
The nearest hub for planning the wider area is Tak.
Location & Directions
Mae Sot, Tak
Mae Sot, Thailand
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Stay Near Tham Mae Usu (Mae Usu Cave)
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