Tham Pha, also known as Buddha Cave, is a cave in Khammouane Province, Laos. The Karst limestone cave was only discovered in April 2004 by a local farmer who upon entering it found a treasure trove of 229 Buddha statues, estimated to be over 450 years old. [1] It is believed that the Buddha statues were hidden to prevent them being looted by invading Haw peoples.[2] The largest Buddha statue is seated at the main entrance.A stupa is located at the nearby Tham That cave.[2]