🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Mention Yasothon and most people think of the Bun Bang Fai rocket festival, laab, and jasmine rice. Few realize that the eastern corner of the province, in Loeng Nok Tha district, has a small hill that locals have revered for generations, called Phu Tham Phra. It's a low sandstone hill of around 200 rai, covered in mixed-deciduous forest that's still in good shape, with cool, comfortable air for most of the year. It's called Phu Tham Phra ("Buddha cave hill") because earlier generations carried several Buddha images up to a cave on the hill and enshrined them there, so it became both a place to pay respects and a place to walk and take in the forest at the same time.
The charm here is that it's still "underdeveloped." The paths are still dirt and rock, the forest is still real forest, and visitors aren't crowded in — mostly locals and merit-makers who come up to pay their respects. If you like quiet places where you can walk slowly and listen to nature, Phu Tham Phra is right up your alley.
The cave and its old Buddha images
The highlight of Phu Tham Phra is the main cave on the southern slope of the hill. It's not large — about 3 meters wide and 8 meters deep — but inside it holds several ancient Buddha images, many of them at least 100 years old. Locals tell the story that in the old days, before heading into the forest to gather wild food, people from around here would stop and pray to the Buddha in the cave for safety first. The cave has long been a spiritual anchor for the people of Kut Hae.
Scattered around the hill are several smaller caves that locals have named, such as Tham Keng, Tham Ngu Suang, Tham Kliang, and Tham Phrom But. Some are easy to enter; others take a bit of scrambling. If you don't know the trails, it's best to ask locals or the caretakers at Wat Phu Tham Phra first so you don't get lost.
A note on etiquette
The cave is a sacred place for the local community. Dress modestly, take off your shoes before entering the Buddha area, keep your voice down, and don't climb on the Buddha images for photos. Always carry your trash back down with you.
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Nang Non Waterfall — come in the rainy season
Near Phu Tham Phra is a waterfall called Nang Non Waterfall, a small fall that runs over a sandstone platform. The thing to understand from the start is that this is a "seasonal waterfall." In the rainy season, roughly July to October, the water runs strong, the stream is clearly visible, and the rocks turn green with moss and lichen — that's when it's at its best. But if you come in the dry season, around March to May, the water is usually dry or down to a small pool. So if you're specifically coming to see the waterfall, check whether there's been enough rain before you set out.
- Main access — there are 2 routes. The popular one passes the front of Wat Phu Tham Phra, then carries on a bit further into the forest.
- Wet and slippery — in the rainy season the rocks around the waterfall are very slick. Walk slowly, hold onto a railing or a tree, and don't go stand in the middle of the stream when the water is running hard.
- No facilities — there are no shops and no proper toilets. Bring your own drinking water and snacks up with you.
Nature trails for an easy hike
Phu Tham Phra suits short, relaxed hikes more than long, hard treks. The trails on the hill are dirt mixed with sandstone, with gentle ups and downs that aren't steep. Along the way you pass through mixed-deciduous forest with big trees giving shade the whole time, and there are spots where you catch views of the fields and forest below. In the early morning and evening you'll hear birds clearly and the air is just right.
Pay respects + see the cave
The shortest route, walking up from the temple grounds to the cave. It doesn't take long and works well for families and older visitors who can manage a short walk.
Loop the caves around the hill
Carry on to find the smaller caves around the hill. The trail starts to involve some scrambling, so it's best to have a guide or ask locals first.
Walk to Nang Non Waterfall
Push through the forest to reach the waterfall. In the rainy season the trail gets muddy and slippery, so wear sneakers with good grip.
Prep before you walk
Wear sneakers or hiking shoes, not sandals, since you'll be going up and down and pushing through some brush. Carry at least one bottle of water each, bring insect repellent, and finish your visit before dark, because there are no lights in the forest.
The best time to go
If you want to see Phu Tham Phra at its greenest with water in the waterfall, come during the rainy season into early cool season, roughly July to November. The forest is green, the rocks are mossy, the waterfall runs, and the air is cool and humid. The cool season in December and January is also pleasant for walking — cool air — but the waterfall may start to thin out. If you come in the dry season from March to May it'll be hot and the waterfall is usually dry, which suits people who care more about paying respects and seeing the cave than about the waterfall.
- Early morning or late afternoon — the sun isn't harsh, the air is nice, and you'll hear birds more clearly than during midday.
- Avoid heavy-rain days — the climb to the cave and the waterfall gets slippery and dangerous. Wait for the rain to ease before heading up.
- Weekdays are quieter — if you want a genuinely peaceful atmosphere, come on a weekday, when you'll only find a handful of locals.
Getting to Phu Tham Phra
Phu Tham Phra is east of Ban Kut Hae village, Kut Chiang Mi subdistrict, Loeng Nok Tha district, about 12 km from Loeng Nok Tha town and about 85 km from Yasothon city. The good news is the access road is fairly good — paved almost the whole way with very little gravel — and a sedan can drive right up to the grounds of Wat Phu Tham Phra.
- Private car (recommended) — from Yasothon city take Highway 212 heading toward Loeng Nok Tha–Amnat Charoen for about 85 km, then turn off toward Ban Kut Hae, following the signs for Phu Tham Phra / Wat Phu Tham Phra. It takes about an hour and a half.
- From Loeng Nok Tha — if you're already staying or stopping in Loeng Nok Tha, it's only about 12 km left — an easy drive of under 20 minutes.
- No car — there's no public transport that goes all the way to the hill. The easiest options are to rent a car or motorbike from Yasothon city, or hire a local car from Loeng Nok Tha for a round trip. The area is fairly rural, so keep GPS on or ask locals along the way to be sure.
Straight talk
Phu Tham Phra is still a genuinely local spot, not a polished check-in point with a coffee shop. In some corners there are buildings that don't quite blend with the nature. If you set your expectations on experiencing a quiet forest and an old cave with Buddha images, you won't be disappointed — but if you're hoping for full convenience, brace yourself a little.
More to do around Loeng Nok Tha
Loeng Nok Tha sits at the far eastern end of Yasothon, near the Amnat Charoen and Mukdahan borders. If you've driven all this way, you can easily make it a half-day to full-day trip. We'd suggest stopping for an Isan-style lunch in Loeng Nok Tha town before or after heading up the hill, then driving back to Yasothon city in the afternoon — or continuing on to Amnat Charoen or Mukdahan, since they're along the same route.
Plan a full day of nature in Yasothon
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