The Golden Triangle Rider

[Auke]

This is a short trip in the Thakheak area and can easily be done in half a day but probably considerable longer during the rainy season considering the number of boats in villages along the road with no water in sight.

From Rd 12 follow the road to the Buddha Cave. At the turn off to the Buddha cave (17 28.688 and 104 52.290) go straight on till the road forks. Take the right fork (actually more or less straight on) till you come to a junction (17 30.867 and 104 52.235). To the right will bring you to the Nam Don River and, if you are able to cross, to Tha Falang and back to Rd 12 just between Tham Pha Inh and Tham Xiengliab. Turning left here will bring you through three villages. After the last village (Ban Doi ?) the road forks again. Turn right here and follow the road till you come to another fork. To the left goes to Muangphone stupa (17 34.406 and 104 50.113).





To the right goes to the Tham Phachan and as far as I know to the Nam Don Resurgence at the other side of the cave. Tham Phachan is huge and we could drive in by car (17 33.953 and 104 51.093).



The cave gets its name from the Buddha made out of sandal wood.



At the other end of the cave (we did not go as we had small children with us) there seems to be the Nam Don Resurgence with the Nam Don River flowing out of another cave.

The other end of the cave visible from the entrance:


and the Nam Don Resurgence (photo courtesy SNV)