"Alan Ruttan will return to Luang Prabang, Laos."

In the remote Khammouane Province of Laos, nestled within a secluded valley, lies a hidden village shrouded in mystery. Home to 11 households, this enigmatic settlement is accessible only by traversing a submerged cave. Within its boundaries, remnants of the ancient Sri Khotrabong Kingdom stand as silent witnesses to a bygone era. The valley boasts a breathtaking cave known as Tham Nam Thieng, renowned for its ethereal beauty.



The vast jungle beyond the cave entrance is enclosed on all sides by towering cliffs. This is the ancient city of Alanratcha Na, ruled by the lord, Wun.

The historical record left by the brave warriors tells of the era of King Anouvong, the courageous king of Laos, who fought against the Siamese. He led his army into this cave, where the Siamese soldiers were tricked into entering. About 800 meters into the cave, there is a narrow passageway that leads to a larger cave. The Siamese soldiers believed that King Anouvong was hiding inside and that there was no way out. They gathered rocks to seal the entrance and lit chili peppers to fill the cave with smoke. (Excerpt from a book)



This trip would not have been possible without the assistance of Mr. Peerasiri Worapimrat, who facilitated and coordinated the arrangements.

On April 5, 2018, our group traveled from Bangkok to Nakhon Phanom by Nakhonchai Air bus (round trip 1,160 baht). Upon arrival at Nakhon Phanom Transport, we divided our supplies and luggage, took a Skylab tricycle (40 baht) to the fresh market to buy additional fresh food, and then traveled to the immigration checkpoint at the Nakhon Phanom-Tha Khaek ferry pier in Kham Muon District, Laos. "Tha Khaek" is located in "Kham Muon District" of Laos. For Thai people who want to visit the Lao side, crossing here is more convenient than crossing from the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. Those who have a passport can buy a ferry ticket directly. For those who do not have a passport, they can apply for a temporary border pass at the immigration checkpoint, the Municipal Pier, Sunthonvichit Road (opposite Wat Okat), or the border pass issuance point at the Friendship Bridge Building, 2nd floor (opens at 8:30 AM).



Khamkeut District is located in central Laos, bordering Thailand and Vietnam. The district capital is Thakhek, which serves as the political, administrative, and economic center of the province. Crossing the border into Thakhek requires presenting an identity card and paying a fee of 46 baht. A temporary border pass or passport is required, along with a 60 baht landing fee per person. On weekends, an overtime fee of 100-150 baht may be charged at the discretion of the border officials. The temporary border pass allows for a three-day stay in Laos and requires a住宿 stamp or village stamp in the pass.

Temporary Border Pass

  • Obtain at the Temporary Passport Issuance Service Office, 2nd Floor, Third Friendship Bridge.

- Temporary border pass issuance service point at the pier and immigration checkpoint in Nakhon Phanom Province (for Thai and Lao citizens only)

- Ferry trip 08.00, 09.00, 09.30, 10.00, 10.30, 11.00, 11.30, 13.00, 13.30, 14.00, 14.30, 15.00, 16.00, 17.00 and 18.00 hrs. Price 60 baht

Tha Kaek

Around the 10th century AD, the port city of Thakhek was part of the Funan and Chenla kingdoms ruled by King Suryavarman of the Khmer Empire. The Lao people called this territory Sikhottabong. Between 1911 and 1912, the French expanded their influence and built houses, taking control of the region. Thakhek became known as a port city due to the arrival of foreign ships. During the war against imperialism, many Vietnamese people migrated to Thakhek and established themselves as traders. Between 1967 and 1972, they either returned to Vietnam or moved to other countries with better opportunities. As a result, Thakhek's architecture reflects a blend of French and Vietnamese styles.

Thakek is the capital of Khammouane Province, located 350 kilometers south of Vientiane. It is a trading port city with an international border checkpoint connecting to Nakhon Phanom Province in Thailand. The population is predominantly Lao Loum.

After submitting the cross-border documents, I took a big pickup truck to Hinboun Dam (hydropower dam) in Na Khok Village, Hinboun District, a distance of approximately 104 kilometers.

The road leading to Hin Boon Waterfall is a dirt road that branches off from the main road at Ban Bung Kong. The road ends at Ban Na Krok, which is the last point accessible by car.

The villagers of Na Kra Khao have almost completely relocated due to the construction of the Hin Bun Dam. Only two villagers remain, who will ferry us across the river to the starting point of our trek to the Tham Luang Nang Non cave. The village appears desolate and eerie, with only the remnants of abandoned houses.

Upon arriving at Ban Nakorn, we immediately began preparing to distribute supplies to the villagers. We also reviewed documents and paid the village entry fee.

He then hired a boat to take him across to the other side.

The translation of the sentence "แล้วเดินเท้าลัดเลาะตามป่า ไปอีกประมาณ 1 ชม. ไปยังถ้ำเมืองลับแล" from Thai to English is:

After that, they walked through the forest for about 1 hour to reach the Tham Mueang Lap Lae cave.

The weather is not hot, making it comfortable to walk.

The people from the hidden city of Lab Lae came out to greet us. As we walked, we chatted and listened to their fascinating stories.

The intricate mountain range is breathtakingly beautiful.

It was a beautiful hiking trip with pleasant weather and stunning views.

After walking for a while, there will be a pavilion where you can stop to pay respects to the Buddha.

After walking for about an hour, you will reach the entrance of the cave.

Access to the Naka Tip village, or the hidden city of Lap Lae, requires guidance from local villagers due to the presence of numerous hazards within the cave, including chasms, deep ravines, and winding paths with hidden corners.

We had to wade through the water to get across, while some of the luggage was transported by boat.

The cave is an awe-inspiring sight, with a vast chamber that appears to have been carved by human hands.

Plants in caves are white, but they do not grow for long and eventually die.

Some sections of the path are ravines.

There are fish in the cave.

It takes about an hour and a half to walk through the Tham Nam cave to reach the exit.

It was an amazing sight. As we exited the cave, we were surrounded by a wall of rocks.

Some flowers and trees I have never seen before.

The path is beautiful, with a stream on the right and mountains surrounding the area.

As we enter the village, we encounter the Baan Na Temple, where monks and nuns reside.

Houseboats are not isolated from the outside world. They have access to fresh produce, including fruits from orchards and vegetables from kitchen gardens.

The site features a large Buddha statue and the ruins of an ancient stupa.

Evidence of old structures can be found.

After exploring the temple, we continued our journey to the village, where we would spend the night.

Their lifestyle and housing are similar to those of ordinary people.

Upon arriving at the campsite, we set up our tents and hammocks. The area was populated with pigs that the locals had raised, and they were scattered everywhere. We had to use a broom to sweep them away. Pigs, dogs, and buffalo had to be constantly watched, as they would come and rummage for food all the time. The "Che" group had a lot of their food stolen by a dog.

The team distributed prepared supplies, including snacks and medicine, to approximately 30 local residents.

Following the meal, the group collaborated to prepare dinner. The process was somewhat chaotic, as the pigs and dogs persistently attempted to steal food, necessitating a dedicated team to guard the provisions. Even while sleeping, the dogs managed to pilfer food.

Ke prepared a food offering for the land deity.

The villagers' water source is a groundwater well.

In the evening, villagers came out to eat with our group, and the children came out to watch the lights. The night was filled with joy. In the morning, …

The group agreed to hike to Tham Nam Thiang at noon.

In the morning, we woke up and helped each other prepare breakfast. We had a lot of dry food supplies, so we shared some of them to offer to the monks. It was a very heartwarming trip.

After breakfast, prepare to travel to Tham Nam Thiang. Hiking attire should be close-fitting and comfortable. Bring water, food, and snacks for the journey. Gloves are also essential.

Along the way, wild mangoes and rubber tree flowers were scattered throughout the forest.

The weather is cool, with a constant breeze. The road has checkpoints at intervals.

The sentence is empty.



The scenery on both sides of the road is breathtaking, with lush forests embraced by towering mountains.

As we approached the rocky hill, the scenery on both sides seemed extraordinary. The shapes of the rocks made us feel as if we were in a stone castle.

The trail offers a challenging climb with steep sections, providing an exhilarating experience for outdoor enthusiasts.

The symbol "ู" is a Thai vowel diacritic that is used to indicate a long "oo" sound. It is placed above the consonant that it modifies.



The rocks are stacked in layers, forming various and unusual shapes.

Climb the wooden stairs.

Crossing the rocky cliffs, some points are ravines.

The trees are covered with a natural carpet.

Take a break before continuing.

Following the winding path along the rocky outcrop, it felt as if we were about to break through to another world.

The roadside was lined with trees and flowers, some of which I had never seen before.

Easy on the eyes

Finally, we arrived at the mouth of the cave. This cave is clean and free of bats.

The cave is a large hall with many stone pillars.

Let the picture tell the story.

There are strangely shaped rocks.

"Alan Rut will return to Luang Prabang, Laos."



Inside Tham Nam Thiang cave, there are strangely shaped rocks and ancient human skeletons. Brother Joe, a local resident, told me that this cave was once inhabited before the people moved to the northeast. A study is underway to determine the period to which these remains belong.

Sacred water jar

The

After exploring Tham Nam Thip, we returned to our accommodation, covering a round-trip distance of approximately 8 kilometers.

Assist in preparing dinner, engage in fireside conversation, and depart in the late morning after a leisurely wake-up.

Thank you to everyone who came along, especially Wut for keeping things organized, Kong for helping out with various tasks, and all the photographers: Nikom, Pongpang, Umi-umi, and Uncle Poo. Thanks also to Uncle Tom for coordinating everything, and to Buhalan Books for inspiring this trip.

Comments