The Hidden SECRET of Thailand’s GIANT Rock SNAKE

Following on from my incredible hike across Phu Langka mountain in Bueng Kan, North East Thailand I reach the Naga Cave ถ้ำนาคา complex, one of Thailand's newest and most secret tourist destinations to International tourists. It features a giant snakes head and body in rock and even has reptile like scales.
It's a beautiful destination and you have to earn the right to see it's wonders by undertaking a scenic hike through beautiful mountain scenery.
The local people revere Tham Nakha (Naga Cave) and associate it with ancient legends, but what is the hidden truth about Thailand's giant rock snake?
Here's a playlist of my popular videos about Thailand in the 80's and 90's
• Thailand in the 80’s
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Пікірлер: 81

  • @mariettathornton5924
    @mariettathornton59246 ай бұрын

    Thanks for taking us along Karl🙏🏼 The views were awesome and I’m very impressed with your Thai language skills! Cannot wait to see your next adventure 😊

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it Marietta. It's a fascinating place, very revered by the Thais yet although the legends are ancient as a tourist destination it's all very new.

  • @CliffBanford
    @CliffBanford6 ай бұрын

    Great vid Karl, fantastic views, i really enjoyed.

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    Cheers Cliff, it was a real adventure what with the extended hike and that and it's incredible to see the reverence the Thais attach to the place too

  • @donaldcroom1483
    @donaldcroom14836 ай бұрын

    beautifully photographed.using your continued expertise in photograhy serves you well on youTube. the shots approaching the edge of a cliff took my breath away. having the monk in a scene was very calming, as if time stood still for you at that moment. well done, karl.

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    Thanks Donald. That Monk footage is a few years old but it was a magical moment for me, one of those times when forces conspire in your favour.

  • @brettt875
    @brettt8756 ай бұрын

    Great vlog that photo with the monk is one of the best photos such a great shot enjoy the vlog

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    Cheers Brett. Yes I love that picture perhaps even more for the way it happened than the way it turned out. Hope you are well

  • @thethailandtravellers
    @thethailandtravellers6 ай бұрын

    Thank you for bringing us to this amazing place! 👍

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    My pleasure, thank you

  • @TinSandwichUK
    @TinSandwichUK6 ай бұрын

    Karl, I'm full of admiration and respect for these tortuous and difficult mountain hikes you bring to us here but what surpasses your endeavours is wondering how the hell the Thais got all the building materials up there to construct the retreats, monasteries and even the metal stairs here and there. In this case I'm wondering if construction materials would have been hoisted up the cliff face via that rock that juts out. Many thanks for showing us some of the natural wonders on this planet.

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    That's actually one of the comments I get the most often and I totally agree. It's a labour of love and dedication and when Temples are involved it's usually done for free or through donations. I really have no idea how the building materials were transported there, probably by hand. Cheers

  • @davidhenderson9707
    @davidhenderson97075 ай бұрын

    Fantastic footage Karl! The steps you descended at the end I remember as the dodgiest frame I had ever ascended back in 2017 with my wife and a ranger. We went back last year but were not allowed up as they had not renovated it then. Can’t wait to go back, the hike was definitely a challenge!!

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    5 ай бұрын

    Every time I have been up and down the route (5 times) has been different for various reasons. 2017 was before the real opening to tourists so I can only imagine how precarious it would have been. Cheers

  • @londoncabthailand4028
    @londoncabthailand40286 ай бұрын

    Thank you Karl i really enjoyed this video part 2, if only the lovely thai ladys you spoke to knew what effort you put in on your way up on the harder route, thanks again.

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it. I wasn't expecting any kudos from them tbh but the thought that they had no idea did amuse me for some reason.

  • @calvin_geo
    @calvin_geo6 ай бұрын

    Karl, this was a wonderful video. Thank you for sharing your adventures with us

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    5 ай бұрын

    My Pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it and thank you

  • @marklanzuelaofficial
    @marklanzuelaofficial6 ай бұрын

    This is crazy!!! Another amazing trip Karl!

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it Mark. It’s a great hike even if you just take the standard tourist trail

  • @MarkSantaCruz
    @MarkSantaCruz6 ай бұрын

    That looked a bit easier than the first part Karl, and nice to have some company, but I know you enjoy the challenge of the tougher hikes as well. Magnificent views there, looking across to Laos.. Where are you off to next?

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    Mark, I have so much editing to catch up on and I'm still recording new stuff. I have a run of stuff from the South coming up soon and there should be the recent collaboration(s) I did with Bangkok Pat coming up on his channel. Hope you are well, cheers

  • @quinnerefc
    @quinnerefc6 ай бұрын

    Fantastic again Karl

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it and thank you

  • @iandavidharris9203
    @iandavidharris92036 ай бұрын

    History Histology kzread.info/dash/bejne/hoVh2ZOjmJeamag.html

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    That's an interesting perspective, the rocks really do look like reptile scales and it's amazing how geology can look similar to biology. I loved your tiger video having been in the lucky position of having seen tigers in the wild here many years ago. I have a few tiger related videos where I tell of my own encounters and interview others about their experience with them but you have to go back a long way on my video list. Cheers

  • @iandavidharris9203

    @iandavidharris9203

    6 ай бұрын

    @@karlsthailand I saw your vid in KY, I saw my first tiger on my very first trip to KY about 28 years ago. I think best chance of seeing a tiger these days is at Pangsida National Park, Sra Keaw. May be should plan a trip together one day.

  • @iandavidharris9203

    @iandavidharris9203

    6 ай бұрын

    @@karlsthailand my friend in Spain (video) we often correspond, if we go to Kanchanaburi, there is the Erawan 33 heads, all the trabacular bone can be found, can see all the holes of blood vessels, now broken up and the iron blood makes the land fertile. Earth has been mined by ancient miners, like in Avatar movie, using electricity to breakaway the silica layer, then mine, you can see the discarded mounds everywhere, like the chocolate hills in Philippines. kzread.info/dash/bejne/qZqmrdOApbLOl7Q.html

  • @trttoday7440
    @trttoday74406 ай бұрын

    great go karl ! , good to know you have multiple spirit guides on these nature adventures , Naga heads on your side.. peace out...🙏🏼

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    Thanks so much. Spirit guides? I'd never thought of it like that but quite like the sound of it considering some of the places I go to.

  • @Glyn69
    @Glyn696 ай бұрын

    Fabulous video and scenery. It's interesting looking at the comparisons of the paths - routes , you deserved a Leo after that slog 15 km in the heart and parts slippery underfoot , thanks.for.posting , take care see you around 😊

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it Glyn. I wish I could tell you that I did enjoy a Leo afterwards but the truth is that a friend collected me from the other side of the mountain and we drove non-stop to Ubon Ratchathani lol. Cheers

  • @ABCDEF-cx1ic
    @ABCDEF-cx1ic6 ай бұрын

    great clips iv;e been to many great places all over thailand but still haven;t manages to find a hike, preferably long distance and perhaps following a ridge instead of climbing steep mountains. homesick for peak district

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    Look for my video just over a year ago called Scary Hike In Kanchanaburi, Thailand. It might be just what you are looking for. Cheers

  • @antonioperezosorio7647
    @antonioperezosorio76476 ай бұрын

    When I get to Thailand I want you to be my tourist guide to all those wonderful pla ces most tourist don't dare to go. Thanks for sharing.Beautiful job. Happy travels and stay safe. God bless you👍🏿.

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    Thanks very much. I do get asked about accompanying people on trips more often these days.

  • @AntDav820
    @AntDav8206 ай бұрын

    That was a long haul that mate...deffo for the dry season too. Brilliant 👍

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    You got it Ant, it's actually very enjoyable when it's dry. hope you are well

  • @tracypaxton1054
    @tracypaxton10543 ай бұрын

    05:34 I wish you had gotten a closeup of one of those pink flowers. What a gorgeous color!

  • @greedisgood3
    @greedisgood36 ай бұрын

    As usual Karl---Excellent reporting from a gem in NE Thailand. Thanks

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    My pleasure, thank you

  • @darrenanderson5171
    @darrenanderson51716 ай бұрын

    Great views thanks Karl

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it Darren. Cheers

  • @sergefranchois1701
    @sergefranchois17016 ай бұрын

    Enjoyed this cliffhanger episode, _with_ banisters & people, as much as the others. You gotta be in good shape.

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    Cheers Serge. Staying in good shape takes work but it does have its rewards.

  • @almaxx9680
    @almaxx96806 ай бұрын

    Nice one karl,,i always thought the picture with the monk was made up😮,,But now i know the story, Brilliant 👍😎

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    Wow, it never crossed my mind that people may have thought it was photoshopped lol. But I guess these days it's hard to know . Truth is it was pure good fortune and opportunism, as soon as I saw the Monk next in the queue I knew it was great photo opportunity and he was more than happy to oblige. Cheers

  • @almaxx9680

    @almaxx9680

    6 ай бұрын

    @@karlsthailand fantastic, i like the photo even more now👍👍

  • @supernanny82
    @supernanny826 ай бұрын

    AMAZING KARL xxx

  • @richardo4878
    @richardo48786 ай бұрын

    Great video as always Karl! Btw how did you learn Thai so good??

  • @greedisgood3

    @greedisgood3

    6 ай бұрын

    Hey Richardo--I'm sure Karl can answer himself but it you look at his channel you will see he has been here a long, long time

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    I decided to learn Thai after my second visit in 1988 and I can assure you it was a decision that has rewarded me for decades since. Thanks

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    That's it really, just the impetus to decide to learn many years ago and...time. Thanks

  • @richardo4878

    @richardo4878

    6 ай бұрын

    @@karlsthailand I need serious focus to learn the language. But I really want to learn it! Just need to find the right way! Cheers Karl!

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    Everyone learns differently. I did fine with books and cassette tapes but many prefer 1 to 1 with a teacher

  • @darrenanderson5171
    @darrenanderson51716 ай бұрын

    My wife and I have done a couple of your treks and we’ll probably follow you on this one. Her family are in Sachon Nackon so not so far away

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    I presume that you mean by the usual route set up for visitors? Please don't attempt the route I took up there without hiring a National Park ranger to escort you both. There's plenty in that area so it might be worth spending 3 or 4 days there. There's also the "Tham Nakhi" hike at Phu Langka NP as well as this one, "Tham Nakha" Have fun, cheers

  • @Brakehill
    @Brakehill6 ай бұрын

    I have so many places to visit when I finally move to Thailand 👍🙏

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    You should! There's so much to see, I'm still finding places and never get bored of returning to my favourites, cheers

  • @darrenanderson5171
    @darrenanderson51716 ай бұрын

    Thanks Karl advice taken

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    Any time!

  • @jenya0602
    @jenya06026 ай бұрын

    Yout movies are the most sincere adoration of lovely Thai people and their wonderful kingdom! Thank you, Buddha bless you!

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    Thanks so much for that compliment, it's good to know that my videos are perceived in a positive light.

  • @paulcousins1371
    @paulcousins13716 ай бұрын

    That looked breathtaking, you must be careful of that terrain✌🏿🍺

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    I'd done it twice before Paul, once solo but this was the first time where the rock was slippery. It made quite a difference I can tell you. Cheers

  • @christophergale9438
    @christophergale94386 ай бұрын

    Hi Karl , it was a couple of years ago we went no hand rails then . The group we where with where KZread people so we are on KZread 555 . A fantastic place to visit best no flip flops 555 .

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    You know Chris in some ways I preferred it in the first few months it was open. Which KZread video is it if you don't mind me asking?

  • @christophergale9438

    @christophergale9438

    6 ай бұрын

    @@karlsthailand Natasha Phothisung KZread.be/_pytxvZe2g , Nov 2021 .

  • @baldybrian
    @baldybrian6 ай бұрын

    It's a long one, Karl. I noticed all these little hang-over rocks that are good for photos are being closed nationwide. Dragon Crest Mountain in Krabi has barbwire there with a sign saying a 2,000 baht fine for ignoring the warning. It is a common thing around Thailand for some reason.

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    'Safety' to the detriment o fun and adventure does seem to be the trend recently. I guess the NP supervisors are just scared of being held responsible if any bad happens. Cheers

  • @AvadaKedavraSpell69
    @AvadaKedavraSpell692 ай бұрын

    Good day Karl, May I know how do you go to the naka cave. What's the nearest airport?

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    2 ай бұрын

    Probably Nakhon Phanom airport. Fly there and rent a car or possibly from Udon Thani.

  • @AvadaKedavraSpell69

    @AvadaKedavraSpell69

    2 ай бұрын

    @@karlsthailand thanks my brother

  • @morvee
    @morvee6 ай бұрын

    Stunning informative as always happy new year , Sawadee Pee Mai Pee Karl

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    Cheers Morvee and sawatdee Pee Mai to you too

  • @megaworldasia360
    @megaworldasia3606 ай бұрын

    I was there two and a half years ago and after seeing lots of Thai's praying and kneeling before this rock, I realised their religion/culture is still mostly based on an animistic belief system. You see it alot on jungle trails around the country with the most common example of worshipping the spirits of natural objects being the coloured cloth being tied around large trees. Thai Buddhism is greatly infused with this older belief system of animism/folk religion.

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    6 ай бұрын

    In many ways I think you were lucky to see it back then. it's less of an adventure now but the better infrastructure does help to make it accessible to more people. Yes, they are very spiritual people which sometimes challenges my cynical, Western views. regardless of my own views it is very colourful and interesting to observe and is part of what gives this part of the World it's unique character. Cheers

  • @deerslayer9point
    @deerslayer9pointАй бұрын

    Goes back to Noah’s flood

  • @karlsthailand

    @karlsthailand

    Ай бұрын

    😂 Exactly. Cheers

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