Description
Wat Tham Phra Na Nai (วัดถ้ำพระนาใน) is a secluded forest temple located in the Kut Bak district of Sakon Nakhon (Northeast Thailand). Like its more famous neighbor Wat Khao Tham Phra (located 30 minutes to the Southeast), this hilltop temple is a "Thai cave temple" noted for its Buddhist statues inside a sacred cave.
The difference is that the cave at Wat Tham Phra Na Nai doesn't seem easy to locate! We spent a half hour walking the paths around the temple, navigating silently near "kutis," attempting to find the cave, but to no avail, as we saw no Thai signage and didn't want to bother the forest monks in their living quarters (i.e. kutis).
We did, however, see the beautiful wooden pavilion which houses Wat Tham Phra Na Nai's most sacred statues of the Buddha. This quiet temple honors the famous forest monks of Sakon Nakhon, such as Luang Pu Fan Acharo and Ajahn Man Phurithatto, whose photos (along with those of other Thai monks) appear on the walls of the pavilion. Several statues (large and small) of these forest monks are also on display.
The road leading to Wat Tham Phra Na Nai (วัดถ้ำพระนาใน) is narrow and built of dirt in parts. During, and just after, the rainy season it can be a little difficult to travel upon. So, if you decide to visit this Thailand spiritual retreat, you should be driving a vehicle that can handle a bumpy terrain or (better yet) go by motorcycle.
There is a parking area at the base of the temple, next to a pond. If you enjoy hiking, you will find several paths leading away from the temple toward and around the mountain hills behind it. But if you hike any of these trails be sure to be silent in those areas where you see any Kutis (monk's quarters), and be respectful of any forest monks that you may encounter, giving them a bow, a Thai wai, and a "satu" greeting.
Update: If you watch the video posted with our listing, it provides a little better idea where the cave is located. So, we will try to find it again soon.
