Hua Hin, Thailand
A huge cave open to the sky in Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, where a royal pavilion glows in the morning sunbeams.
Inside the main cave chamber
The small royal pavilion built for King Rama V stands in the cave floor, lit by sunbeams through the collapsed roof. It is the symbol of Prachuap Khiri Khan province.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Start of the trail
A quiet beach in a bay closed in by limestone hills, reached by boat from Bang Pu or over a hill path.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)From Laem Sala to the cave
A steep, rocky climb through forest to the cave entrance. Take it slowly and carry water.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
A hill in the park with wide views over the coast, limestone peaks and lagoons, best at sunrise or sunset.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Phraya Nakhon Cave
Built in 1890 for King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), who visited the cave on a journey along the coast. Later kings also came here, which keeps it a place of royal memory.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Hua Hin, Thailand
Fresh squid from the fishing villages along this coast, grilled or stir-fried with garlic.
Hua Hin, Thailand
The province grows sweet pineapples — buy one fresh from a stall on the way.
Khao Sam Roi Yot
Simple restaurants near the boat landing for Laem Sala.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)National park
Small food and drink stands near the beach serve basic meals and cold drinks.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Hua Hin, Thailand
Quiet beach resorts between Hua Hin and the national park, closest for an early start.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Hua Hin, Thailand
Most visitors make the trip as a day out from Hua Hin.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)The pavilion is a royal site and a provincial symbol: do not climb on it or touch it. Khao Sam Roi Yot is a national park — take your rubbish with you, keep to the trail and do not feed the monkeys.
The Kuha Karuhas pavilion was built in 1890 for King Rama V's visit. Light falls through the collapsed roof of the cave onto the pavilion, especially in the late morning. The walk to the cave from Laem Sala beach includes a steep climb of around 30–40 minutes.
Leave Hua Hin early for Bang Pu.
Take the boat or hill path to the beach.
Climb to the cave and see the pavilion in the sunbeams.
End the day with the view over the park.
December to April, when the trail is dry; start the climb early so you are in the cave by about 10 to 11 am, when the sunbeams light the pavilion.
About 1 to 1.5 hours south of Hua Hin by car; then a boat or walk to Laem Sala beach and the climb.
There is no easy public transport to the park. Hire a car with driver, rent a car, or join a day tour from Hua Hin. From Bang Pu, take a longtail boat to Laem Sala or walk the hill path, then climb to the cave on foot.
Wear good shoes and bring water. Arrive by about 10 am for the sunbeams.
