Undiscovered Temples in Phuket

Phuket is home to a vast array of Buddhist temples including the famed Wat Chalong and the Jui Tui Shrine. While these historic sites of worship draw millions of visitors every year, the island boasts lesser-known temples that are equally enthralling.

Intrepid travellers can venture underground at Wat Suwan Khuha to admire a golden reclining Buddha set inside a huge limestone cave, before meeting the resident monkeys and admiring a collection of stalactites. Alternatively, head to Wat Tham Ta Pan, a sculpture garden that teems with figures from Buddhist hell (Naraka)—dare to enter through the dragon’s mouth into this terrifying wonderland.

What are Phuket’s undiscovered temples?

1. Wat Suwan Khuha

Enchanting temple inside a cave

Good for: History, Photo, Unusual

Wat Suwan Khuha is also called Wat Tham or simply ‘temple cave’ because that’s where it’s located: inside a limestone cave. The largest part of the cave houses a 15-meter reclining golden Buddha image, draped in a saffron-hued robe. It’s also decorated with attractive Benjarong (Thai-style) tiles.

There’s a chedi structure reminiscent of Bangkok’s famous Temple of the Dawn (Wat Arun), along with a small grotto with a golden stupa. Care should be taken here as the temple has a sizeable and rather aggressive monkey population, prone to grabbing snacks off visitors and messing with car antennas. Apart from the naughty monkeys, this is a wonderful place to visit.

Location: Wat Suwan Khuha, Phet Kasem Rd, Krasom, Takua Thung District, Phang Nga 82130, Thailand

Open: Daily from 8 am to 5 pm

2. Wat Suwan Khirikhet

Come for the temple, stay for the street market

Good for: Food, History, Shoppers

Founded in 1895, Wat Suwan Khirikhet (also called Wat Karon) is the only temple in Karon Beach. This small but attractive landmark is easy to find and is most noteworthy for hosting a night market on Tuesday and Friday evenings.

The main building is guarded by two giant emerald-green nagas (serpents) with iridescent scales and the interior of the building’s walls, doors, and window panels depict the life of Buddha, including his struggle with evil before achieving enlightenment. A smaller building houses two Ramayana images that guard a beautiful black sapphire Buddha statue.

Location: Wat Suwannakiri Khet (Wat Karon), Soi 22, Karon, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83100, Thailand

Open: Daily from 6.30 am to late afternoon/early evening

3. Wat Baan Kamala

Serene Buddhist sanctuary on Kamala Beach

Good for: Budget, History, Photo

Wat Baan Kamala is a traditional Buddhist temple located on Kamala’s idyllic beachfront, towards its southern end. Entirely rebuilt after Phuket’s deadly tsunami in 2004, the temple occupies a nicely landscaped garden with an ordination hall, a bell tower, a monks’ dormitory and refectory, along with two small constructions housing Buddha images and statues.

The best time to visit Wat Baan Kamala is in the late afternoon when it’s softly illuminated by golden sun rays. Send prayers or seek blessings at the large Buddha with the earth-touching posture (it represents the moment of Buddha’s enlightenment).

Location: Samnaksong Charoentham Kamala, Na Hat Road, Kamala, Kathu District, Phuket 83120, Thailand

Open: Daily from 7 am to 4.30 pm

4. Wat Kajon Rangsan

An architectural masterpiece

Good for: Budget, History, Photo

Wat Kajon Rangsan, or Wat Kajon for short, is an unusual Buddhist temple in terms of its design. Its main building (or pra u-bosod) showcases Roman-style architecture, which is unique in Phuket. It also has a beautiful set of Thai-style pagodas.

If you visit between 7 am and 8 am, you’ll come across quite a busy place. This is because Wat Kajonrangsan School is located within the same compound. It might be fun to be there early to observe the traditional Thai way of life, where the temple is at the heart of everything, including education. Inside the main hall, visitors can witness the quiet rituals of the Buddhist monks, whether that’s chanting or offering blessings.

Location: Wat Kajorn Ransang, Soi Wat Khachon Rangsan, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000, Thailand

Open: Daily from early morning to late afternoon

5. Wat Kathu

Historic Buddhist jewel circa 1883

Good for: Budget, History, Photo

Wat Kathu sits on a hill by the side of Wichitsongkram Road in Phuket. It’s split across three levels: the top level is home to all religious buildings, the second level is the monks’ dormitory, and the lowest features a coconut orchard, a kitchen, and a visitor’s shelter.

Wat Kathu is known for housing the antique image of Lung Por Mai Reab, considered a holy object by Kathu residents. Over the years, the local government has also used Wat Kathu as a training center for different events spanning culture, health, and careers.

Location: Wat Kathu, Kathu, Kathu District, Phuket 83120, Thailand

Open: Thursday–Monday from 9.30 am to 9 pm (closed on Wednesdays)

6. Wat Kosit Wihan

Revered religious site on the outskirts of Phuket

Good for: Budget, History, Photo

Wat Kosit Wihan is among the most revered temples in Phuket. It was built over 140 years ago on the edge of a national park, just north of Phuket Town. At the center of the temple is the shrine hall, where most religious ceremonies take place. This beautiful building, with its triple roofs, gets busy during important Buddhist holidays.

Wat Kosit’s grounds are full of tropical trees and interesting flowers. Important images around the temple include a golden laughing Buddha statue and a statue of Lung Por Lod, the temple’s first abbot.

Location: Wat Kosit Wihan, Thep Krasattri Rd, Tambon Talat Yai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000, Thailand

Open: Daily from 8 am to 6 pm

Phone: +66 7 621 2373

7. Wat Mai Luang Pu Supha

Pay homage to one of Thailand’s top monks

Good for: Budget, History, Unusual

Wat Mai Luang Pu Supha (or Wat Sila Suparam) in Chalong is famous mainly because of its founder, Luang Pu Supha. He was one of the most respected and long-living monks in modern Thai history. He lived to be over 118 years old.

Luang Pu Supha dedicated a large part of his life (almost a century to be exact) to being a Buddhist monk, spreading the word of dharma and building almost 40 temples and monasteries around the country, three of which are in Phuket. Come here to gaze at the temple, which hovers over emerald-green waters, before visiting its museum which showcases artifacts and amulets. Read more

Location: Wat Si Supharam, Chalong, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000, Thailand

8. Wat Cherngtalay

Ancient Buddhist temple near Bang Tao Beach

Good for: Budget, History, Photo

Wat Cherngtalay has been the spiritual center of the village for over 100 years (though it was relocated to its current location in the 1970s). The temple consists of five large buildings, with three dedicated to religious services. The other two are the monks’ dormitory and refectory.

Featuring traditional Thai temple architecture and decorations, Wat Cherngtalay blends Buddhism and Hinduism. Inside the ordination hall, you can see a fresco depicting the life of Siddharta Gautama (Buddha). Outside the temple, discover a large painting representing Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of success. Mantras are all written in Sanskrit. Tranquil and beautiful, Wat Cherngtalay is a fine place to visit in the Bangtao area.

Location: 2 Soi Cherngtalay 6, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand

Open: Daily from 8 am to 5 pm

9. Wat Bang Riang

A photogenic hillside haven

Good for: History, Photo

Wat Bang Riang (formally Wat Rat Upatam) is a beautiful hilltop temple on Khao Lan Mountain in Thap Put, Phang Nga Province. The temple features a seated golden Buddha image, a large statue of Kwam Im (Guan Yin): the Chinese Goddess of Mercy, as well as the finest Thai temple architecture.

A drive through the picturesque countryside where the temple resides can be very interesting, despite it not being on the usual traveler’s path. Even so, it’s well worth a visit if you have time to spare in Phang Nga Province. Remember to take your camera as photos are a must. Read more

Location: Wat Bang Riang, Thap Put, Muang, Phang-nga 82000, Thailand

Open: Daily from 9 am to 4 pm

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10. Wat Tham Ta Pan

Unusual temple with a heaven and hell theme

Good for: History, Photo, Unusual

Wat Tham Ta Pan is one of the weirdest temples in southern Thailand. Located in Phang Nga Town, approximately 100 km northeast of Phuket, the site offers a graphic journey through the Buddhist Heaven and Hell.

At first sight, the temple looks a bit abandoned and decrepit, which simply adds to its spookiness. Walk through the open mouth of a massive dragon (which symbolizes the entrance to the spiritual realm) before colliding with unsettling scenes including statues of people being boiled in cauldrons and meeting other grisly fates. the Heaven Garden, on the other hand, delights with its beautiful elephant statues and lush tropical greenery. Read more

Location: Wat Tham Ta Pan, Thamtapan Alley, Tham Nam Phut, Mueang Phang-nga District, Phang Nga 82000, Thailand

Open: Daily from 8.30 am to 6 pm

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