Tham Phung Chang — Attraction in Phang-nga Province

Amazing caving adventure right next to the city! You will be wearing a head torch while the guide is rafting you through the cave (start with a kayak then change to a bamboo raft, due to narrow passage of the second legs of the journey). Then you will be wading through knee deep fresh clear water to discover amazing rock formations and trying to find Kiti bats - the world smallest species of bat (less than 5 cms tall). The highlight of the cave is the amazing white elephant rock formation right at the end of the cave.

This cave was originally formed under ocean and the guide will point out to you, samples of fossilised seashells and corals on the cave wall. You will find many beautifully preserved sparkling red silica formations. Please avoid touching them as oil from human skin will change the chemical composition and in turn destroying thier brilliant sparkles. You will also find Thailand largest stalactite right close to the end of the tour.

The mountain looks like a kneeling elephant and it is a symbol of Phang Nga. This tour is taking you inside "the belly" of the beast, hence the name of the cave "elephant belly cave - Phung Chang Cave".

No photo allowed inside of the cave to preserve its natural ecosystems and for your own safety. Prepare to get your legs wet and beware of many overhanging rocks. Keep your hands inside of the raft as some rocks can be sharp. Please closely supervise your children. The whole experience takes around 1 hour, the cost is 500 bahts per person. The air is fresh and cool through out the cave.

There are also plenty of small pig nose bats and kiti bats around, they are fruit eating bats, hunting at night and rest during day time inside the cave. If possible, to not blinding them with your bright head light, try not to diffectly shine the light onto them but using the less bright area of your torch light's circle instead.

Great eco tourism affrord by the local. Unfortunately the guide only speak basic English, but he is so passionate and full of conservation spirit, so here I am trying tell you what he wanted to tell your guys who joined the tour.

Enjoy your caving expedition in Thai...

Phung Chang Cave is massive natural cave and is only accessible by guided tour where you are led along a running stream partly by canoe, then bamboo raft and then wading in knee deep water. We recommend wearing water shoes. The distance covered is 1.2km. We saw several rock formations that resemble elephants, lotus flowers, jellyfish and egrets formed from large lumps of carambola stone. There are also cavernous rooms, magnificent gold and red coloured walls and massive stalagmites and stalactites. We also saw rat-faced bats and Kitti’s hog-nosed bats, the latter being the world’s smallest known bat species and exclusive to Thailand. The cave is open daily from 08.30 – 16.00 hrs. Tour fee: 500 baht/person The tour of the cave takes around 1.5 hours. Unfortunately, you are not permitted to take photographs inside the cave. You can find Phung Chang Cave by walking from the town and you can arrange your visit directly with the staff at...

Looks scary at first going into a Dark Cave, however it is not the case. The Guides there were Friendly, Polite & Patient hence the experience was safe & fun. Best part those with claustrophobia or those scared of the dark can join too as the cave has high ceilings and they provide bright headlamps. It's creative as they make it a 3-part journey so you don't need to walk all the way; first part is an inflatable boat, then a raft (that gives a traditional feel, safe as there is an inflatable support at the bottom) & 3rd is a short walk, in knee-deep water. You can see bats, glittering rocks, Stalactites and stalagmites. Cost: Adult (THB 500), Kid (THB 300). If you don't want to get your pants wet from the slight water from your slipper, bring a cloth or layer to sit on and wear slippers here as your foot...