Like almost all temples with the word "Tham" in their name, Wat Tham Khao Laem also has a cave. It's located about halfway up the mountain, behind the ordination hall. After an adventurous climb through the scaffolding of the large Buddha statue, guided by a worker, I was only able to visit the first chamber. Once the first two levels of the Buddha's pedestal are completed, the climb will be considerably easier, but I don't know when the work will be finished (my last visit was in February 2020). I was only able to see the first chamber at the cave entrance and couldn't descend into the main chamber because the electrical system had been damaged by monkeys. Again, the workers don't know exactly when the repairs will be completed, but it will happen after the work on the first two levels of the Buddha is finished. Until then, Wat Tham Khao Laem is still worth a visit for its beautifully decorated ordination hall.

From Kanchanaburi, Wat Tham Khao Laem lies slightly ahead of Wat Tham Mangkon Thong.

Wat Tham Khao Laem is a temple, and when visiting a temple in Thailand there are some rules to follow: appropriate clothing (knees and shoulders should be covered), take off your shoes when entering the building, be quiet, do not hug or kiss, do not point your feet at the Buddha statue, do not smoke.

How to get there

How do I get to Wat Tham Khao Laem? From Kanchanaburi, Wat Tham Khao Laem is located slightly before Wat Tham Mangkon Thong.