:: Thap Than

Ban Khok Mo Weaving Village is a small village of Thai-Lao residents whose ancestors migrated here in the Rattanakosin period. Villagers take up weaving when the harvest ends. The fabrics produced in the village are unique. They are made from Sin Tin Chok Silk, Mat Mi silk and traditional-style fabrics with floral patterns.

Getting There: From Amphoe Thap Than, take Highway No. 3013 to Amphoe Sawang Arom for approximately 11 kilometres. A 4-kilometre road leads to Ban Khok Mo. The weaving group is next to Wat Khok Mo.

Wat Thap Than was built in the Rattanakosin period around 1897. The locals have shortened the full name to Wat Thap Than. It is said that this area was where Thai troops caught up with invading forces in the late Ayutthaya period. Hence, the name of Thap Than. The monastery has a shady compund with a small chapel and main hall in the traditional style. The item of interest here is the lovely, carved door depicting an angel holding an arrow standing on a serpent, and another, of an angel tending deer holding a pike on a lion. The convocation hall has a main bronze Buddha Image in the Man Wichai posture 1.68 metres wide. The main hall houses a replica of Lord Buddha's footprint in bronze.

Getting There: Take Highway No. 3221 (Amphoe Mueang-Amphoe Thap Than) for 19 kilometres. The temple is located on the left about 1 kilometre before the Thap Than district office.

:: Sawang Arom

Bung Khok Chang Ancient City was a town surrounded by a moat and an earth wall. A sacred pond is at the outer corner of each wall. Artifacts unearthed here include tools, utensils and a stone scripture in Mon. Evidence points to the items being from the Dvaravati period. Objects found to date are pot fragments, black and brown jars, blades, iron spears, and colored beads made into ornaments.

Getting There: From the city, take Highway No. 3221 past Amphoe Thap Than onto Highway No. 3013 past Amphoe Sawang Arom. From there take Highway No. 3456 to Amphoe Lan Sak. The distance from Amphoe Sawang Arom is about 14 kilometres. A pagoda can be seen on the left with a ban Bueng Khok Khwai sign (this road runs straight through Bung Khok Chang.)

:: Lan Sak part 1

Prehistoric coloured drawings at Khao Pla Ra  can be seen at Khao Pla Ra, a mountain range with verdant jungles, no communities and natural water sources. It is also the home of numerous wild animals. It has truly lovely natural surroundings in the area around the cave, and cliffs in the southwestern part of the mountain, around 320 metres avove sea level. Colour cave drawings stretch for around 9 metres. These prehistoric drawings are of humans and animals in red and black. They show an agrarian society and are artistic expressions of people in ancient times. The drawings give insight into their lifestyle and homesteads. They are certainly invaluable as [part of the artistic heritage of the country. A number of earthenware pieces of three-legged pots and stone axes were also found in the area.

Getting There: From the city, take Road No. 333 past Amphoe Nong Chang, then take Road No. 3438 (Amphoe Nong Chang-Amphoe Lan Sak) for around 21.5 kilometres. You will see the Pla Ra Mountain range on the left. Then turn left onto an asphalt road for about 7.5 kilometres and continue on foot for about 2 kilometres up the mountain to the peak, to see the prehistoric drawings. The total distance from the city is around 51.6 kilometres.

Hup Pa Tat Cave is a large valley with an area of about 48,000 square metres. The mountain range surrounding the valley is a limestone range. Part of it is Khao Huai Sok that connects with Khao Pla Ra, about 1 kilometre away. On the way up to the cave is a margosa forest. Upon reaching the cave mouth you will see a dark cave. After a walk of around 100 metres, you will emerge from darkness and see the way down to the valley. Looking around you will see a limestone mountain surrounded by high cliffs. This enables sunlight to reach the ground only at midday. Therefore, the valley has higher humidity than other parts and this contributes to a wealth of flora. The thick jungle features gigantic shrubs of the genus Excoecaria that are similar to prehistoric trees.

Getting There: Use the same route as Khao Pla Ra. It is 300 metres before the mountain.


Khao Khong Chai Cave is on a limestone mountain range that is about 353 metres high. The range is naturally beautiful and has a large cave in front, where stone tools and earthenware pieces were discovered. It is believed that it was the dwelling of prehistoric people. The cave is now the home of numerous bats.

Getting There: From the city, take Road No. 333 past Amphoe Nong Chang. From there, take No. 3438 (Amphoe Nong Chang-Amphoe Lan Sak Route). About 2 kilometres before reaching Amphoe Lan Sak, there is a left turn into Lan Sak Witthaya School. Continue on for 500 metres to Khao Khong Chai. It is around 52.4 kilometres from the city.

Khao Phraya Phai Rua is in Mu 5 of Tambon Lan Sak. The mountain is shaped like a Chinese junk and is surrounded by a natural moat. It is covered with assorted plants and there are altogether, 12 caves leading underground. Each cave has distinctive stalactites and stalagmites, like Kaeo Cave, Si Chomphu Cave, Thong Phra Rong Cave, Ang Nam Mon Cave, Phuttha Sathan Cave, Khao Pha Raet Cave and ending with Phra Non Cave. In front of this cave is a large natural pond that is teeming with a variety of fish, plus beautiful scenery.

Getting There: From Amphoe Lan Sak, take Highway No. 3438 to Huai Kha Khaeng for avout 4-5 kilometres. A sign tells you to turn right for 4 kilometres to Phraya Phai Rua Cave.