Wat Sri Sunthon (Wat Srisoonthorn) is known for the immense golden Buddha reclining at the top of a large building in the ‘Pang Sai Yat’ posture, which corresponds to “Realizing Nirvana”. The statue seems to be staring endlessly at the frantic traffic on the nearby road to Phuket International Airport. Of course, you already knew that ‘Wat’ is the Thai word for ‘Temple’.
Wat Phra Thong (or Wat Prathong), meaning ‘Golden Buddha Image Temple is a very old temple with an incredible legend behind it, the kind of story that irresistibly attracts people. It’s not very big or impressive, but everyone first wants to see the famous half-buried golden Buddha. So what is this strange legend about a temple in Thalang on the way to Phuket Airport?
Phuket Thai temples, or Wats, are always worth a visit; from the temple hidden inside a cave to the famous Wat Chalong, a visit to Thailand would not be complete without exploring a few of these magnificent and beautifully ornamented buildings.
Hidden in a vast cave in Phang Nga Province, Wat Suwan Khuha is a surprising religious site sheltering an immense reclining golden Buddha. If you feel like a little drive outside Phuket island, this is your chance to explore another side of Phang Nga!
Discover the meaning of each Buddha posture for every day of the week in Thai culture. Learn which Buddha statue corresponds to your birth day and its significance.
Wat Chalong, officially called Wat Chai Thararam, is the largest, most revered and most visited Buddhist temple in Phuket, about 9 km south of Phuket Town. It was built at the beginning of the 19th century. Chalong Temple is one of the Must-See places in Phuket.
Big Buddha Phuket Update 2025: You can only approach the site, but you can’t enter the area. You can see the Big Buddha from a vast open area on the side, with limited visibility. The Big Buddha Phuket is a 45-metre-tall marble statue with panoramic views. The official name is actually Phraphutthamingmongkhol-akenagakhiri Buddha, meaning “Happiness on Top of Nagakerd Mountain”.
