Soo Da Cave

Soo Da Cave is situated in Ban Noon Som Boon, Tumbon Phu Kao Thong, Nong Pok district, Roi-Et province.
You can travel to “Soo Da Cave” by car or bus. First, travel from Roi-Et to Phontong. The distance between Roi-Et and Phonthong is about 30 km. Once you get to Phontong, go to the traffic lights and take the road that goes to Nong Pok. The distance between Phontong and Nong Pok is about 20 km. When you reach the entrance of Tumbon Phu Kao Tong turn left, the entrance is about 5-6 km from here. You will see a dam. It is called “Huay Pong Yai”. Turn right then go to Huay Pong Yai. You can go there by car. You will see the sign “Soo Da Cave”. Visitors have to climb up a twisty road through a small mountain to see the temple.
It is not easy to find transportation to So Da Cave. Visitors have to get there by their own cars. Buses and coaches cannot get to the So Da Cave because of the twisty road. There is no entrance fee. Visitors need not pay for the entry. So Da Cave is open from 06.00 am to 06.00 pm every day.
If you go to So Da Cave in the cold season, it won’t be crowded.
Normally, most people go there in rainy season because the waterfalls and the scenery are very beautiful.
So Da Cave is one of oldest temples in Roi-Et, which is used for multiple purposes. First, it is a place for monks to practice meditation and be in harmony with the nature. Second, Buddhist people come here to pay respect to the Buddha image. Third, it is a place that has beautiful waterfalls and view point. You will like So Da Cave, because the temple and the nature are very beautiful. It is better to go to So Da Cave in the rainy season, because it has beautiful waterfalls. It is a good idea to put on trousers, long coat and shoes. Because you will have to walk down hill in order to see “Ja Dee Stone” and “Admire Cave”, where it gets pretty cold.
DOs and DON’Ts
- Do not write on the cave walls.
- Do not make noise.
- Dress appropriately
- Be quiet.
- Keep the place clean.

History:

Long ago, there were built “Phra Tad Pranoom” and then people gave money to make the ashes of Buddha by walking and they went through Soo-Da Cave. In that group of fellow travelers, there was a couple, Mr. Soo and Mrs Da. Once they got to the cave, they decided to live there. They could not go out because they were so exhausted because of the travel and they were old. They stayed there with many valuable things.
80 years later a hunter, who lived in Ban Nong kum, went to hunt a wild boar. The boar ran into the cave. He followed the boar into the cave and then he saw the golden Buddha statue and a lot of property.

Highlights:

Soo Da Cave is in the Stone Mountain. When you go there, first you see the temple. The way that goes to the temple is beautiful. You can see the view. There is also a dam. It’s “Huay Pung Yai”. There are big stone plates on the way to the temple. Walk down the stairs and walk down the hill. When you go down the mountain and you could pay respect to the “Stone Cha Dee”. Next to the “Stone Che Dee” you may see the bat cave. If you visit this place in the rain season, the waterfalls are very beautiful. Soo Da Cave was set up in February 14, 1997 by Phra Aj. Kan Pha Pa Wa Row. The budget was 3 million baht and the people donated 17 million baht for building a street entrance.

- http ://www.thaitambon.com/tombon/ttrlist.asp?ID=250903
- Journal Tumbon Phu kao thong Nong Pok Discrict, Roi-Et Province, page 9
- Phra Aj. Kan Pa Pa Wa Row interview 9, December 2007

Group Information:
There are 5 people in the group. There are two boys and three girls. They are Sarawut, Amphon, Benjamas, Piyanoot and Porntip.

Sarawut Tongsawang: He is 17 years old. You can call him “Pech”. He lives in Selaphum. He likes reading cartoon books and drawing. He says: “I would like to visit So Da Cave again because it is a beautiful place”

Amphon Sriratree: He is 18. You can call him “Top”. He lives in Selaphum. He thinks So Da Cave is a beautiful place. He likes playing volleyball, listening to music and reading books. He likes art and nature of the So Da Cave.

Benjamas Kanaprun: She is 18 years old. You can call her “Bum”. She lives in Selaphum. She likes listening to music and reading cartoon books. She likes the waterfalls and the scenery.

Piyanoot Onputta: She is 18 years old. You can call her “Yui”. She lives in Selaphum. She likes reading cartoon books. She likes nature and adventure.

Porntip Nams-nga: She is 18 years old. You can call her “Fa”. She lives in Selaphum. She likes reading books and watching TV. She says: “I want to publicize the wonderful nature of So Da Cave”.