Tham Dao
A dark, bat-filled cave temple where the lights only come on if someone's around to switch them on.
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Why go, and how to do it well
Bring a flashlight, and don't count on the lights. That's the single most useful thing I can tell you about this cave temple in Nong Phlap, out on the inland side of Hua Hin District. There's a donation box at the bottom of the steps near the school, and when people drop money in, someone has sometimes come out to switch on the cave lighting. Sometimes nobody does. Either way, phone flashlights aren't enough for the deeper passages, and the floor is covered in bat guano.
The name means "cave of the stars", and the ceiling formations are the reason to come. It's a five minute climb up to the entrance, opening into a chamber with a Buddha statue, and from there a passage runs right and deeper into the mountain. It narrows. Bats will fly past you. Some visitors love the quiet and have the whole place to themselves. Others have found the grounds unkempt, the lights off, and left disappointed. Both are true, depending on the day.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026
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Reviews from Google
This is a fantastic little adventure. Very few people come here and we had the place to ourselves. There is a donation box at the bottom of the steps near to the school, and when we put money in, a lady came out of the building and turned on the cave lights. Then there is an easy five minute climb up to the cave entrance. Even with the lights on, we still needed our phone torches to see where we were stepping. Inside the cave there is a network of passages and caverns with some surprisingly good rock formations. And it is up to you which parts you want to explore. One section of the cave has a low ceiling and there are many bats flying around. There is also a risky old wooden ladder that is now falling apart. One rung is broken and if another one breaks, then someone will either fall or get trapped! Have fun. Be careful.
Beautiful, deep cave which is really off the beaten path. It's a really nice place to visit and see why this cave is called Tham Dao (cave of the stars). You'll have to walk not too far upstairs to visit the cave. You'll first arrive in the big room with a Buddha statue and on the right, you can go into the cave a bit deeper. If you are afraid of bats, look out, because there are many of them in the barely lit cave. The cave will get smaller at that point and bats still might pass you. The cave goes on for a while until you reach another room which is super quiet. It's a really nice cave, but I have seen better ones.
This place appeared to be abandoned. The property was not maintained. There were no peacocks around that I saw. There were some dogs around. It did see a Buddhist monk in one of the small huts that sit close to the mountain wall. Not sure if he lives on the premises. The lights were not on in the cave and we couldn’t figure out how to turn them on. The cave is very dark. Our cell phone lights were not enough. There are bats in the cave and the floor is covered in bat guano. I was excited to see the place upon reading the Google reviews but it turned out too be a bit sad looking.
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 146 reviews on Google.
HPRH+F6H, Nong Phlap, Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan 77110, Thailand
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All within 1.6 km of Tham Dao.
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Tips for Visiting Temples & Culture
Mind Your Feet
Never point your feet at a Buddha image or a monk — it's considered deeply disrespectful. When sitting inside a temple, tuck your feet behind you or to the side.
Ask Before Photographing
Exterior photos are almost always fine, but some interior halls prohibit photography. Look for signs, and never pose irreverently with Buddha images — it's a legal offense in Thailand.
Go Early Morning
Big-name temples are dramatically less crowded in the first hour after opening. You'll also avoid the worst of the midday heat and get softer light for photos.
Tham Dao: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tham Dao worth visiting?
Tham Dao holds a 4.3★ rating from 146 Google reviews — a strong rating for temples & culture in Hua Hin.
When is the best time to visit Tham Dao?
The best months to visit Hua Hin are November – August, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in Weekends year-round (Bangkok day-trippers) — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: October (wettest month).
Where is Tham Dao located?
Tham Dao is at HPRH+F6H, Nong Phlap, Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan 77110, Thailand, in Hua Hin. Getting around Hua Hin: Songthaews (green, along Phetkasem Road to Khao Takiab); Motorbike taxis.
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