The path heading to Buddha Cave in Thakhek district, Khammuan province, became flooded after heavy rain hit the area on Wednesday, an official from the province said yesterday.
Buddha Cave before the area became flooded.
Heavy rain caused flooding around the cave – something that has never happened before, said Thakhek District Governor Phetsamay Phetlamphan.
“We are using boats to ferry visitors across the river to the cave. The river is impassable on foot - in some places it is up to four metres deep,” he said.
The boat ride costs 2,000 kip per person and is a short but scenic 10-minute trip to the cave.
The cave itself is not flooded as it is located above the watermark on a steep limestone cliff.
Some foreigners want to swim across the river to the cave, but are prevented from doing so, because the river is about 200m wide and very dangerous, Mr Phetsamay said.
Mr Phetsamay said the cave, which contains 229 ancient Buddha images, has become the most popular tourist attraction in the province after it was discovered in 2004.
Many tourists from neighbouring countries visit the cave to pay their respects to Buddha.
More than 70,000 tourists visited Khammuan province in the first six months of this year, an increase of almost 30,000 from the same period last year.
The provincial capital Thakhek is on the banks of the Mekong River and contains buildings from the French colonial era.
By Khonesavanh Latsaphao (Latest Update September 19, 2008)
