Wat Thep Charoen Caves

Location https://maps.app.goo.gl/6jhEBn2cmUi5nsHz5

The caves found at Wat Thep Charoen are 20km north of Chumphon Town. Take Highway 4 for about 15km till you reach the turning for Ban Rap Ro.

Take this road to the left and continue along it till you reach Ban Rap Ro. At the crossroads go straight over and after 1km you should see Wat Thap Charoen on the right. The caves are well signposted from Highway 4.

There are more than eight caves in the temple area, but only four are open to the public, being No. CP0017 Rup Ro, CP0055 Chang, CP0056 Phet and CP0057 Ai Tae. 

The caves are located some 30 meters up the side of the hill to the right as you enter the temple complex. Each cave has a dedicated stairway so you can choose which one you wish to visit first. The following is a suggest route which avoids having to go up and down the stairs. When you enter the Wat drive to the end of the buildings to where you see the information board for the caves.

CP0055 Chang Cave

Upon climbing the stairs you find yourself in a large chamber where there is a walkway taking you into the cave. 

Possibly the walkway is for crossing a pond, but during all our visits this has been totally dry. From the walkway you get a good view of the southern wall which has an amazing collection of formations. Water has ponded in this area.

It is possible you work your way up to a higher level where there is an opening looking down onto the cave entrance.

More photos of our visits to Chang Cave can be found here - https://photos.app.goo.gl/boJxmHcqrQj3KV2r8

CP0017 Rup Ro Cave

A balcony (lined with bells) connects Chang Cave with Rup Ro Cave. Also known locally as Phra (ถ้ำพระ) cave the main chamber is the holiest cave within the complex. It is home to a number of important Buddhist relics, including a 1,000-year-old Buddha image known as Luang Pu Lak.

Photo taken by ArMoo.

Upon passing though this area you will come to another chamber where at the end are these impressive formations.

More photos of our visits to Rap Ro Cave can be found here - https://photos.app.goo.gl/omTuRqn8rgE9gjJv9

To the right of this second chamber you will find steps going through an opening.

Here a path takes you round the mountain to the next cave. Being at an elevated position you have a good view over Ban Rap Ro.

CP0057 Ai Tae

Ai Tay (ถ้ำไอ้เตย์) cave is the largest and most impressive of the caves. It is a large chamber with soaring ceilings and a variety of stalactites and stalagmites. There is also a large reclining Buddha statue inside the cave.

More photos of our visits to Ai Tae Cave can be found here - https://photos.app.goo.gl/m8NjJmhJExB5sdo59

From this cave it is not possible to get to the forth cave at higher level so you have to go down the stairs.

CP0056 Phet Cave

Phet cave seems to have been abandoned for the approach to the cave has all overgrown. You find it by going northwards around the mountain about 200m from Chang Cave, till you see the V shaped stairs to the cave.

This cave has some impressive formations but sadly has suffered some vandalism.

The cave is rather steep in places and rises to a plateau. Here there is a steel ladder that takes you deeper into the cave. We did not venture past this point on this visit, but on our too do list.

More photos of our visits to Phet Cave can be found here - https://photos.app.goo.gl/Hs5j5zCUmmv97Bqn7