- Kind
- Monastery
- Tradition
- Theravada
- Town
- Mae Wang
Wat Tham Doi Tohn is a cave monastery in Mae Wang district, about 55 kilometres south-west of Chiang Mai city. It sits roughly 600 metres above sea level, one kilometre from the nearest village, below the cliffs of the Doi Tohn range. A large cave at the foot of the cliff is used for meditation, and a pagoda holding relics stands on the hilltop.
According to the account compiled from Ajahn Gavesako’s site, monks and novices began to live here for the rains retreat in 1986, and the Ministry of Education granted formal permission on 10 April 1997. The land in front of the cave was donated for the purpose.
The connection to the teacher graph runs through the abbot. In that 2012 account, Phra Ajahn Nawee Piyadhassi is described as ordained in 1982, spending his first rains retreat at Wat Ram Poeng in Chiang Mai, and studying with Ajahn Tong Sirimangalo and later with another northern teacher. He is the abbot who organises the monthly meditation courses.
The source lists vegetarian food, shared restrooms and bedding, and advises visitors to bring a torch, water and personal medication. Nights in the cool season can fall to around 6 degrees Celsius.
The detailed account is from 2012, with a 2026 directory entry saying the abbot and the monthly courses continue, so treat this page as a starting point. Contact the monastery for current course dates, language of instruction and what is expected of guests.
Visiting
The monastery runs regular meditation courses and provides vegetarian food and basic lodging. Arrange a stay in advance through the monastery, check the current schedule with it directly, and bring your own torch, drinking water and warm bedding for the cool season.
Teachers
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Related places
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Nearby
within 150 km, straight line
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Sources and verification
2
Written from published sources by the volunteer editors. Not yet reviewed by an outside advisor.
- ReferenceRetreat Infos: Wat Tam Doi Tone (Doi Tone Cave Monastery), compiled from Ajahn Gavesako's website, state of 2012 (abbot, his teachers, setting, history, facilities)
- ReferenceLove Thailand: Wat Tham Doi Ton (directory page: Mahanikaya order, temple status declared 10 April 1997, Nawee Piyadassi still presiding, monthly Vipassana courses and a 2026 schedule published on the monastery's site)
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