Into the Caves and Mountains of Dong Mafai: Living My Own Adventure Film

by Saw Law Eh Po

I’m currently in Dong Mafai, Nong Bua Lamphu Province, Thailand, interning with Radical Grandma Collective. We’ve been hiking through forests, climbing mountains, exploring deep caves, and uncovering stories I never imagined I’d get to experience firsthand.

As a fan of Jules Verne’s adventure films, such as Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008) and Journey to the Mysterious Island (2012), this whole experience feels like stepping straight into one of those movie worlds.

We had to crawl through this hole to enter the cave's largest room!

One of the most unforgettable caves we explored was Ba Darn Cave, nestled in Nam Lod Mountain. It has ten rooms inside, and the deeper we went, the cooler and more mysterious it became. We had to crawl and crouch through narrow, rabbit-hole-like openings, and climb up and down steep, rocky passages. It was physically intense, but so worth it.

The stalagmites were also stunning, like natural sculptures formed over thousands of years. And at the very last room was something incredible: the stalactite patterns on the ceiling looked just like the map of Thailand. It was surreal. Nature really is the greatest artist.

Interior of Dong Ma Fai's Badarn Cave

We’ve come across ancient paintings, old artifacts, and heard fascinating local myths that give each cave and mountain its own identity. It’s interesting how history, nature, and legend all blend out here.

This is my first time exploring landscapes like this, and honestly, it’s been magical. Every hike, every climb, every dark tunnel feels like a real-life adventure scene. But the best part? It’s all real.

I’m learning so much, enjoying every moment, and feeling incredibly inspired by the stories hidden within these rocks and caves.

Two-thousand year old paintings on the cave walls.

I highly recommend visiting Dong Mafai and seeing for yourself all the amazing natural wonders this community has to offer!