Wat Thep Kasattri (Ban Don)
Post Views: 72 Phuket’s Oldest Temple and the Legacy of the Two Heroines Wat Thep Kasattri is the first temple ever built in Phuket, dating… Read More »Wat Thep Kasattri (Ban Don)
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 – 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.
Wat Pathum Khongkha Ratchaworawihan
Wat Pathum Khongkha sits at the end of Song Wat Road, right where the old Talad Noi neighbourhood meets Bangkok’s trendiest new street. This second-class royal temple dates back to the Ayutthaya period and carries a dark history as a royal execution ground.
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 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.
Wat Hong
Wat Hong is a peaceful temple on the Thonburi side of Bangkok that gives visitors a close look at everyday Buddhist life in Thailand. It is not as widely known as the major royal temples, which is part of its charm. The place feels quiet, local, and genuine.
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.
Best Temple Tours in Bangkok
The best temple tours in Bangkok typically focus on the Grand Palace with Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun, arranged as half‑day routes with licensed guides and hotel pick‑up for smooth logistics.
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 – 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).
Sunday Buddha Posture – The Steadfast Gaze
The posture for Sunday is called the Steadfast Gaze (Pang Thawai Net). In English, it is sometimes called the “Seven-Day Gaze” or “Seven Days Looking.”
Wat Karon (Wat Suwan Khiri Khet)
Wat Karon, or Wat Suwan Khiri Khet, sits just inland from Karon Beach and has been part of the local community since 1895. It received its royal charter in 1939, marking its official status as a Buddhist temple in Phuket.
Wat Ratchabophit
Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simaram is one of those temples that surprised me. Tucked away near the Grand Palace, it was built in 1869 by King Rama V, and what makes it stand out is how it seamlessly blends classic Thai design with a touch of European style inside.
Wat Pathum Wanaram Rachaworawihan
Wat Pathum Wanaram Rachaworawihan is a peaceful temple hidden between Siam Paragon and CentralWorld, offering a quiet space of shady trees and monk chants just steps from Bangkok’s busiest shopping streets.
Wat Suan Dok
Wat Suan Dok, which means the temple of the flower garden, was built in 1373 and is unique because of the many white mausoleums containing the remains of the previous rulers of Chiang Mai
Wat Lok Moli
Post Views: 1,481 An ancient temple with a massive chedi and royal history Wat Lok Moli is one of those temples people often notice without… Read More »Wat Lok Moli
Wat Phra Singh
Wat Phra Singh is a significant one. It looks modest and darker than most other wats from the outside but is superb inside. Walk to the back to admire another temple and a shiny golden stupa
Wat Phan On
Wat Phan On is on the side of the Walking Street Market, with a golden Chedi and a beautifully decorated main Temple. On Sundays, the temple is occupied by food vendors and tables for customers to enjoy.
Wat Chedi Luang
Wat Chedi Luang is the largest and most spacious, with an immense and majestic central stupa. The square brick shape of the main chedi with elephants surrounding it is very iconic
Doi Suthep
Doi Suthep is the most iconic landmark of Chiang Mai, but it takes about an hour by car to reach from the downtown city centre
Long Hun Keng Shrine ⛩️
Long Hun Keng Shrine (肜雲宮) is a small and lesser-known Chinese shrine located along Thepkasattri Road in Phuket Town. Despite its modest size and low profile, it holds cultural significance for the local Chinese-Thai community, especially during the Vegetarian Festival.
Tiger Cave in Krabi (Wat Tham Suea)
Wat Tham Seua, also known as the Tiger Cave Temple, is nestled in a jungle setting about 9km north of Krabi Town. The temple grounds feature glittering caves and archaeological treasures, including stone tools and pottery remains
Wat Kom Niya Khet (Wat Khuek Khak)
Wat Kom Nai Khet, also known as Wat Khuek Khak, is a serene Buddhist temple in the Khao Lak area about 5km north of Bang Niang Beach
Loha Prasat Video
This video of Loha Prasat takes you to one of Bangkok’s most unique and overlooked temples. Located within the Wat Ratchanatdaram complex, Loha Prasat, or the “Metal Castle,” is a multi-tiered structure with 37 metal spires, representing the 37 virtues of enlightenment in Buddhism.
Wat Arun – The temple of Dawn Video
This video of Wat Arun takes you to one of Bangkok’s most iconic and visually striking temples. Also known as the Temple of Dawn, Wat Arun stands on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, with its towering central prang decorated in colourful porcelain and seashells.
Wat Pho – Temple of the Reclining Buddha Video
This Wat Pho video takes you to one of Bangkok’s most famous and historic temples. Known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Wat Pho is home to a massive 46-metre-long golden Buddha statue, making it one of the most visited religious sites in Thailand.
Wat Phra Kaew Video
This Wat Phra Kaew Video takes you to one of Thailand’s most sacred and important temples. Also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Phra Kaew is located within the Grand Palace complex in Bangkok and is considered the spiritual heart of Thai Buddhism.
Wat Chalong Video
This Wat Chalong Video takes you to Phuket’s most important and largest temple. Located in Chalong, this beautifully decorated temple has been a spiritual centre for locals for over a century.
Phuket Big Buddha Video
This Phuket Big Buddha Video takes you to one of the island’s most famous landmarks. Sitting on Nakkerd Hill between Chalong and Kata, the 45-metre-tall statue can be seen from many parts of southern Phuket.
Lord Shrimant Ganpati Bappa Devalai
Lord Shrimant Ganpati Bappa Devalai is a Hindu temple dedicated to Ganesha set in Rawai Beach near Rawai Park. This intricately designed Phuket temple is a replica of the century-old Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple in Pune, India
Wat Prayoon
Wat Prayoon, also referred to as Wat Prayurawongsawat Worawihan, is a 19th-century Buddhist temple placed near the Memorial Bridge in Bangkok’s Thonburi district
Wat Suthat Thepwararam (Giant Swing)
Wat Suthat Thepwararam (Giant Swing) is a famous Buddhist temple dating back to the late 18th century. It’s mostly known for its towering red teak swing standing at 21 m. Due to its towering height, it can be seen from other areas in Bangkok Old Town.
Wat Chakrawat -The Crocodile Temple!
Wat Chakrawat Rachawat Woramahawihan earned its nickname from the resident population of large reptiles. The legend goes that an especially belligerent man-eating croc with a missing eye was being hunted by angry locals and took refuge beneath a monk’s house in the temple.
Wat Mangkon Kamalawat
Wat Mangkon Kamalawat is the best of the cultural things to do in Chinatown, Bangkok’s largest Chinese Buddhist temple. Built in 1846, the temple’s design is unmistakably Chinese.
Wat Traimit
The striking spire of Wat Traimit protects a 5-metre-tall seated Buddha statue made of solid gold. Weighing in at 5.5 tonnes, the statue dates back to the 13th century and was originally covered in plaster
Put Jaw Shrine (Kuan Im Teng)
Put Jaw Shrine is one of the oldest Chinese shrines in Phuket, located in Phuket Town. It was originally built more than 200 years ago and is dedicated to the Chinese goddess Guan Yin, the goddess of mercy. The shrine plays a significant role in the spiritual life of the local Chinese-Thai community.
Wat Mai Khao – วัดไม้ขาว
The Mai Khao Temple is less known but worth a photo (Wat Mai Khao). The temple itself is tucked away from the road. It doesn’t have any particular architectural interest, but it hides a little treasure: a small bird sanctuary hidden in the park behind it
Samnaksong Charoentham Kamala
Wat Baan Kamala is a modest temple near the entrance of town. It is quite modest, but the long lines of small golden Buddhas are worth a photo and a glimpse of real Thai life. Remember that this is a religious site so don’t wear too short clothes.
Wat Suwan Kirikhet (Karon Temple)
Wat Suwan Kirikhet is a small but beautiful temple in the back of Karon Beach that frequently hosts the popular Karon Temple Market and occasional funfairs, which are always fun to visit.
Wat Ladthi Wanaram (Wat Tai)
Wat Ladthi Wanaram, located in Chalong Subdistrict in the south of Phuket, is a temple of the Mahanikaya sect. The temple occupies 26 rai of land and has a rich history. It was founded in 1758 and received its royal charter on February 5, 1957.
Wat Sophon Wanaram
Wat Sophon Wanaram is a tiny but brightly decorated temple on the road between the Heroine monument and Bang Pae waterfalls. It is easy to spot the gate by the roadside.
Wat Sapam
Beautifully standing on the east coast of Phuket just opposite Koh Maphrao (Coconut Island), Wat Sapam is not often visited as cars usually drive (too) fast in these curves, and the street leading to the temple is hard to locate.
San Chao Hainan Shrine in Phuket Town
Located on the popular Thalang Road in the heart of Phuket Old Town, the Hainan Shrine is more than just a place of worship. Built in 1910, this beautiful shrine has been a cultural and spiritual centre for over a century, especially for the Hainanese community in Phuket.
Wat Thepnimit
Wat Thepnimit (วัดเทพนิมิตร) is a local Buddhist temple located in the Wichit subdistrict of Phuket, near the Wichit Subdistrict Office and not far from Phuket Town.
Wat Sawang Arom
Wat Sawang Arom is a temple of the Mahanikaya sect located in Rawai, south of Phuket Phuket Island. Established in 1942 by Phra Bunrod Thammakamo, the temple covers an area of approximately 9,636 square meters.
Wat Nakaram (Wat Naka)
Wat Nakaram (Wat Naka) only main characteristic is the golden Chedi standing next to the main temple. Located just across the road from the famous Phuket Weekend Market, it’s an excellent opportunity to visit both simultaneously.
Wat Tha Rua
Wat Tha Rua is a Mahanikaya sect temple in Tambon Si Sunthon in Thalang, just before the Heroine Circle on the way to Phuket International Airport.