Tham Pla National Park

Introducing Tham Pla National Park

A trip to Mae Aw could be combined with a visit to Tham Pla Forest Park (admission free) centred on the animistic Tham Pla or Fish Cave, a water-filled cavern where hundreds of soro brook carp thrive. These fish grow up to 1m in length and are found only in the provinces of Mae Hong Son, Ranong, Chiang Mai, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Kanchanaburi. The fish eat vegetables and insects, although the locals believe them to be vegetarian and feed them only fruit and vegetables (which can be purchased at the park entrance).

A path leads from the park entrance to a suspension bridge that crosses a stream and continues to the cave. You can see the fish through a 2-sq-metre rock hole at the base of an outer wall of the cave. A statue of a Hindu rishi called Nara, said to protect the holy fish from danger, stands nearby. It’s a bit anticlimactic, but the park grounds are a bucolic, shady place to hang out; picnic tables are available.

The TAT office in Mae Hong Son has some information about the park. The park is 17km northeast of Mae Hong Son on the northern side of Hwy 1095. October to February is good for star-watching and from November to May is bird-watching season. Buses to Pai pass by, but renting a motorcycle is the best way to get here.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009