Tham Phet Pho Tong

Rust-coloured mineral water has streaked the limestone walls of Tham Phet Pho Tong gold over thousands of years, and quartz-flecked sand sparkles underfoot in one chamber — between them, the cave earns its name: phet (diamond), pho (Bodhi), thong (gold), rather than any literal “Golden Buddha” translation some tourism copy claims. It sits inside a long limestone ridge in Khlong Hat district, Sa Kaeo, close to the Cambodian border, and stays free to enter.

Locals divide the cave into four sections worth photographing on the way through: the entrance chamber, a large tunnel room, the “pearl-diamond” room where the sparkling sand and pale egg- and pagoda-shaped stalactites give the cave its nickname, and a rear chamber where water-carved formations resemble seated Buddha figures — villagers call it the gathering place of celestial beings. Electric lighting covers the main route, though a few side passages stay dim enough that a torch helps. The air stays notably cooler than outside, and the rock underfoot ranges from dry and dusty to damp and slick depending on how recently it’s rained.

Outside the cave mouth, a 300-metre marked nature trail loops past medicinal herbs and forest plants that villagers still forage from; keep an eye out for the bats that roost near the entrance and the wild monkeys that hang around the parking area — don’t leave food visible in an open bag. Insider Tip: the walk in from Wat Khao Luem takes you past the temple itself, worth five minutes even if you’re only here for the cave — it’s the easiest landmark to navigate by since the turn-off isn’t well signed from the highway. Watch out: the middle chambers narrow and the floor gets uneven; flip-flops aren’t a good idea here even though the walk looks casual at the entrance.

Best visited in the dry season (November-February) when the approach path is driest; the cave interior stays cool year-round regardless. Pair it with Wat Tum Khao Chakan, another temple-cave elsewhere in Sa Kaeo, or Pang Sida National Park if you’re building a day around the province’s limestone country.