Temples

Saturday Buddha Posture – Pang Nak Prok

If you were born on a Saturday, your Buddha posture shows something unusual: the Buddha isn’t alone. A giant serpent coils beneath him, and a many-headed hood rises behind his shoulders like an umbrella.

Friday Buddha posture Pang Ram Phueng (ปางรำพึง) - standing with arms crossed on chest

Friday Buddha Posture – The Contemplation Image

Walk into any Thai temple and you’ll see Buddha statues in different poses. Each one represents a day of the week. The Friday image shows Buddha standing with his arms crossed over his chest, a gesture that looks like he’s deep in thought.

Wat Chalong Firecrackers

The first time we heard an explosion at Wat Chalong, we thought something had gone wrong. A deep boom echoed across the temple grounds, followed by another, then another.

Is Wat Chalong Worth Visiting?

Wat Chalong is worth visiting if you want to see Phuket’s most important Buddhist temple. We’ve been dozens of times over the years and still stop by when showing friends around the island.

Wednesday morning Buddha posture Pang Umbat (ปางอุ้มบาตร) - standing holding alms bowl

Wednesday Buddha Postures

Wednesday is the only day with two Buddha postures in Thai tradition. People born on Wednesday during the day follow one image. Those born at night follow another.

Thursday Buddha posture Pang Samathi (ปางสมาธิ) - seated in meditation lotus position

Thursday Buddha Posture in Phuket – The Meditation Image

In Thai temples across Phuket, you’ll find Buddha statues arranged by the day of the week. Thursday’s image shows the Buddha seated in deep meditation, hands resting in his lap.

Wat Kanan

Wat Kanan is Phuket’s striking white Buddhist temple, often referred to as the island’s answer to the famousWhite Temple in Chiang Rai. Located in the Thalang area of Phuket, this relatively new and lesser-known temple has recently gained attention as a stunning spiritual and architectural destination.

Best Temple Tours in Phuket

The best temple tours in Phuket typically feature Wat Chalong, the island’s most important Buddhist temple, alongside the iconic Big Buddha on Nakkerd Hills with panoramic views across three beaches.

Pho Ta Toh Sae Shrine

Pho Ta Toh Sae Shrine is a small, old Chinese shrine renowned for its unusual display of tiger statues, located on Monkey Hill in Phuket Town. You will discover dozens of tigers in varying sizes and ages guarding the entrance and lining the inner courtyard.

Wat Kitti Sangkharam (Kata Temple)

Wat Kitti Sangkharam, also called Kata Temple, sits on the eastern side of Kata Beach along Patak Road. The temple is known for its ornate ordination hall, colorful facades, and calm grounds with statues and murals depicting the Buddha’s life.

Monday Buddha Posture — Pang Ham Yati (ปางห้ามญาติ)

The Monday posture shows the Buddha standing with his right hand raised at chest level, palm outward. It represents the moment he stopped a war between his relatives with wisdom and compassion.

Tuesday Buddha posture Pang Sai Yat (ปางไสยาสน์) - reclining on right side

Tuesday Buddha Posture – The Reclining Buddha (Parinibbāna)

In many Thai temples, visitors see Buddha statues shown in different postures for each day of the week. The Tuesday image is the Reclining Buddha (Thai: Pang Sai Yat, ปางไสยาสน์). This posture is not about sleeping. It represents the Buddha’s final passing into Parinibbāna (final Nibbāna).