In the autumn of 2023, the family and I talked together about a visit to Thailand with a view to visiting the cave, where I spent nine months in 1973.
As youngsters, Nshorna and the grandchildren heard bedtime stories of my nine months in the cave - the dark nights, the snakes, spiders, scorpions, lizards, tropical storms and more, as well as the natural beauty, the waterfalls, the deserted beaches, the butterflies, birds and fauna. A magical kingdom.
Photo taken in 1973. Aged 29. Ordained 1970-1976
Nshorna and Kye love Thailand - the kindness, culture, nature and delicious food. Both continue to have deep insights in Thailand into what matters in life. These insights changed the priorities. Three generations of us certainly share much in common. D’nae and Milan have made their first visit and appreciated and benefitted from their stay.
We agreed to fly to Thailand in half term school holidays in February 2024 for 10 days. Kye, 22, was already there for several months engaged in martial arts training and online study for his degee in economics. Due to the high quality of his studies, Sheffield University kindly gave him permission to continue his studies in Phuket, a popular island off the west coast of Thailand.
In late January 2024, the university said he had to return to complete his studies, even though his research and analysis comtinued to be of the same standard as at university. We cancelled the trip with a plan to go to Thailand in July at the end of the school/university year. (By the way, Kye got a degree in economics with honours).
We had to cancel that as well, as Kye started work at Goldman Sachs, the investment bankers in London soon after finishing uni. Family agreed to go for the half-term school holidays in April 2025 and Kye’s holiday time. Nshorna and D’nae, 18, would visit the cave. Kye, 24, and Milan, 16, would fly to Phuket for martial arts training with daughter and grandaughter going to Phuket after the visit to Koh Phangan. This time it happened.
Joziah, 9, stayed with Gwanwyn (his grandmother in Totnes), myself and his dad in London. Nshorna and Joziah will have a holiday together later in the year with just the two of them.
That’s the background. Just to add. Nshorna mentions the snakebite. That took place one night in 1973 on the edge of a stream in a remote area but not on Koh Phangan.
Account from Nshorna of the visit to the Cave
As many of you know, my father, Christopher Titmuss, was ordained as a Buddhist monk in Thailand in 1970. Three years later, he left his monastery in southern Thailand and spent nine months living in a cave on Koh Phangan —long before the island became the tourist destination it is today.
Last week, my daughter and I made a meaningful journey to Thailand. We carried with us a letter written in Thai, addressed to the monks at my father’s former monastery. Our route took us from Bangkok to Koh Samui island by plane, and then by speedboat across to Koh Phangan.
From there, we took a taxi as far as the road would allow, but the final part of the journey had to be made on foot. The monastery, Wat Khao Tham, is nestled in the lush hills, offering breathtaking views. It's a quiet, secluded sanctuary—not a tourist site—and its simplicity is its beauty.
I remembered Dad’s stories vividly, especially the one about nearly dying from a snake bite. So, in true Western fashion, I walked mindfully, keeping an eye out so as not to disturb the local wildlife.
When we arrived, we spent some time absorbing the atmosphere. Holding the letter in Thai, we approached a monk and respectfully placed it near him (as is custom—no hand touching). He smiled warmly and guided us to the lay caretaker of the monastery, who received us with kindness and hospitality.
Monks still use the cave my father once lived in. Two monks currently reside there, part of a small community of just 13 monks. (In 1973, only an empty cave and a single hut for a senior monk living in solitude occupied the land). With the permission of the monks, we were invited to visit the cave.
The experience was nothing short of magical. The monks offered us a blessing and chanted in Thai while we stood in a posture of standing meditation. Though I didn’t understand the words, the moment transcended language. We took a few photos together, but out of respect, we've chosen to keep them private—something sacred just for us.
Afterward, we returned to the small temple where I sat and meditated on the idea of non-attachment to material things. In such a peaceful and simple place, it felt like the perfect contemplation—a quiet reminder of what truly matters: inner contentment, human connection,and a deep bond with nature.
A heartfelt thank you to the monks at Wat Khao Tham and to my father, who planted the seeds that continue to blossom through our family.
Love
Nshorna
Thank you for sharing
What a beautiful story. Thank you so much for sharing.