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Visit Wat Tham Si Mongkhon (Din Pieng Cave) (Nong Khai)
Presentation Wat Tham Si Mongkhon (Din Pieng Cave)
Tham Dinphiang is an underground cave with the cave entrance at ground level. The villagers call it Tham Phaya Nak, the cave which has hollows that look like holes. The holes are connected to each other and the size of the natural corridors is barely larger than that of a human resembling a slithering snake. Literally, because in places, especially one, visitors have to really crawl (see my video ). And since water flows into the cave, you have to go in barefoot and be prepared to get wet and crawl into a little depth of water. In short, this is not a visit for the claustrophobic or those afraid of getting dirty. Local beliefs say that this cave is inhabited by the Naga, mythological snakes. The different rooms are illuminated by colored lights, sometimes with Buddhas or Naga statues.
History, legend and beliefs
Legend has it that Dinpieng Cave served as a passage to an ancient underground city called Badal, refuge of the Nagas. The interior of the cave is constantly humid with natural rock formations that add to its mystical atmosphere.Practical information about Wat Tham Si Mongkhon (Din Pieng Cave)
Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Entrance: 100 THB (for lighting) + tip for the guide (who generally only speaks Thai and no English)
The visit lasts approximately 3/4 hours.
It is recommended, and I now believe even obligatory, to take a guide to visit Dinpieng Cave. The cave network is quite complex, it's easy to get lost, there is water which can present a danger, in short, it's better to go with someone who knows the cave. It is often children from the village who visit. Their small size is practical for slipping through underground mazes. They have learned explanations by heart which they recite to you in different places... but only in Thai!
For more information or to organize a guided tour, contact the following number: 09 3067 7959. Knowing that you will generally find guides on site, even if it means waiting a bit for them to be called and for them to arrive.
Bring a change of clothes if you visit this cave because with the passage where you absolutely have to crawl on the ground in a little water, you will be wet, not only on your legs. Enter the cave light (without a bag or anything else) and protect your cameras or smartphone well, especially from water (I would even recommend not taking them, I only took my smartphone).. This is clearly not a visit for everyone. You have to love adventure, be able to crawl, sneak, accept being wet and dirty.
How to get to Wat Tham Si Mongkhon (Din Pieng Cave) ?
You absolutely have to be transported to visit the Dinpieng Cave at Wat Tham Si Mongkhon. It's kind of in the middle of nowhere, 85 kilometers from Nong Khai town. No public transport leads there. Its visit is sometimes combined with that of the Nong Khai Skywalk at Wat Pha Tak Suea which is 18 kilometers away.
Find Wat Tham Si Mongkhon (Din Pieng Cave) on GoogleMap
