Cave Exploration in Northern Thailand, at the Bang Mapra Tham Lot

   
     The cave at Bang Mapra is far more extensive than one would predict before entering it. This cave is close to one mile long, and is only accessible by floating downstream on a tiny rickety bamboo raft, with both a guide and raft-man.

    As we approached the cave, there was a back board set up in all its glory, as a wary hazard for first time spelunkers.

    This is Thailand, so we knew it could be rough, as we climbed aboard out small bamboo craft and drifted into the mouth of the cave.

    The original cavern is about 50-60 feet tall, and filled with both stalactites and stalagmites.

Bamboo rafts awaiting their riders.

Approaching the cave's mouth.

     The main cave has three offshoots, one to the right, which is easily manageable, and two off to the left, both of which are only accessible by climbing up a very tall, very straight ladder set all the way up to the top.

Here I am, on the raft as we entered the large cave.

 Thank you for looking, and please enjoy these pictures of teh Bang Mapra Cave in all its splendor

A bamboo bridge, to cross from one \side of the river to the other,
both inside the gigantic dark cave.

This edifice was over 30 feet tall, and continues to grow!

These beautiful mineral deposits shimmered like diamonds.

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Here is Ploy, in a crevice of the large cave on the left side of the entry cave.

These were called the "Molar Teeth."

As you can see, the cave is pitch black, and the water was cold, by Thai standards.

The rock and mineral formations were outrageous.
One would call them out for looking to be fake if you were at Disney world.

A small pool in a sediment rich environment.

This is called "The Pointer Finger."

Here is a 20 meter tall stalagmite, which has been met by its upper stalactite,
and come together in the middle.  It is over 60 feet!!!!

Unbelievable formations fill the giant cave.

Here I am in a small hole peeking through a stalactite.

There has been pre-historic man cave drawings inside the cave, however,
they have been whitewashed away by inconsiderate tourists.
Likely both Thai and foreign.

The read end of the cave's mouth as we approached.

The set of over 120 steep slippery guano encrusted stairs to the top of the large chamber.

Spectacular views are everywhere.

Here is Ploy, showing off the cave exit.

This is a wooden coffin, where well revered
 monks were laid to rest in ages past.

These coffins no longer hold the remains of the monks,
although they are still very eerie.

Ploy and I before dis-embarkation.

Thank you for looking at our Bang Mapra Cave photos.
Please get one of our cook books, and we will be able to
teach you how to cook traditional
Thai food right in your own home.
Thank you so much,
John and Ploy