Tham Pha Nang Khoi

The name means "cliff of the waiting lady", from a large stalagmite mid-cave shaped like a woman holding a baby. The cave mouth is on a limestone cliff about 50 m high.

Legend tells that about 800 years ago (around BE 1700) Princess Aranyani of Saen Wi fell in love with Khanong Det, a young head oarsman who saved her when the royal barge capsized in a storm. Their forbidden love left her pregnant and punished, so they fled south. Pursuing soldiers shot an arrow meant for Khanong Det that struck the princess, and he carried her into this cave, where in some versions she gave birth.

She told him to flee and vowed to wait for him there. The endings differ: in one he escapes; in another he is caught and executed while she waits until she and her child turn to stone. Her name is spelled several ways, such as Aranyani or Anyani.

Three lengths are given: Thai travel sources describe a visitor route about 150 m long and 10 m wide, a 2023 Phrae PAO article about 300 m and passable end to end, and English Wikipedia 1.6 km, which no survey supports. Most sources say you can exit at the far end. The cave bends left like an elbow into three sections; the floor is mostly flat earth, but some parts have deep drops.

There are 13 named viewing points, including Khuha Sawan Wiset, Thep Arak Nakhra, Nakha Sathit, Ngam Phit Anong Sanan, Hin Nang Khoi, Lan Nang Khoi and Lan Rak Phra Nang. The highlight, Hin Nang Khoi, is best seen from about 10 m back; in front of it hangs a heart-shaped stalactite. There are also glittering crystals and a flowstone curtain that runs with water in the rains. Bats live in the cave.

Beyond Hin Nang Khoi are Buddha images where visitors pay respect before leaving. Khaosod (2019) names one Luang Pho Yai, its base built in 1962 — the only construction date found. Some foreign sources mention a temple of the same name, but Thai sources find none, so it is best described as a cave with Buddha images.

Locals link the cave to luck: before each lottery draw on the 1st and 16th, people smear powder on the base of Hin Nang Khoi for numbers, and winners often return to donate toward its upkeep. On 28 April 2019 Phrae's governor led a media trip here to promote tourism.

Each April the Tham Pha Nang Khoi heritage festival is held; in 2025 it ran 7–9 April with a parade, a Miss Tham Pha Nang Khoi pageant and singing contests, opened by the governor, and it was held again in 2026.

The cave is managed by the Phrae Provincial Administrative Organization, according to a 2023 PAO article and festival listings. One source alone says it was restored for tourism around 2007; no discovery or opening year has been found. The legend appears to be local oral tradition with no known written source. The cave is not within a national park.

The cave opens daily 08:30–17:00 and is free, with a large car park and toilets. The climb from the car park to the mouth is steep, with patchy steps; a pickup shuttle costs 10 baht per person. Coloured lights cover parts of the cave but some spots are dark, so bring a torch and grippy shoes. Allow 1–2 hours. Nearby are Wat Rong Kwang, Phra That Pu Chae and Wat Rong Khem.