Sui Boon Tong Shrine

A Quiet Shrine in the Heart of Phuket Town

Sui Boon Tong Shrine (ศาลเจ้าซุ่ยบุ่นต๋อง) is a lesser-known Chinese shrine tucked away at the end of Soi Phuthon, just off Phuket Road in the old town area. Despite its discreet location and modest entrance, it remains an active spiritual site and plays a meaningful role during the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival.

The shrine is easy to miss unless you know where to look. There’s no prominent archway or large courtyard — just a narrow lane leading to a quiet courtyard framed by classic Chinese architecture. The building features curved roof tiles, red wooden doors, and hand-painted calligraphy, all typical of Hokkien-style shrines found across southern Thailand.

During the Vegetarian Festival, Sui Boon Tong becomes one of the participating shrines with its own group of mah song (spirit mediums) joining the processions. While smaller than well-known temples like Jui Tui or Bang Niew, it draws loyal devotees and contributes to the spiritual atmosphere of the festival with its rituals, incense offerings, and firecrackers. Yellow flags appear at the entrance, and the shrine is cleaned and decorated in preparation for the annual event.

Inside, the main altar is compact but richly decorated. Statues of Chinese deities, red lanterns, and offerings of fruit and incense create a space that feels authentic and lived-in. There’s often a caretaker nearby, and locals stop by quietly to make offerings or light joss sticks — especially on important lunar dates.

The name “Sui Boon Tong” is usually translated as “Hall of Accumulated Merits,” reflecting the shrine’s connection to traditional Chinese beliefs about karma and good deeds. While the exact founding date isn’t clearly recorded, it’s believed to be over a century old and was established by early Chinese immigrants, likely of Hokkien descent.

For visitors exploring the shrines of Phuket Town, Sui Boon Tong offers a more intimate glimpse into local faith and traditions. It’s not designed for tourism and rarely appears on guidebook routes, but that’s part of its charm. The atmosphere is simple and sincere — especially outside festival periods when the shrine is at its quietest.

Sui Boon Tong is located within walking distance of other temples in town, so it’s easy to include as a short detour during a self-guided walk through Phuket’s historic centre.

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