Wat Khao Rang Samakkhitham (Kao Rang Temple) is a modest temple in Phuket town that would be somewhat anonymous if it were not for its large and majestic golden sitting Buddha. But is the giant Buddha not supposed to be much bigger and made of white marble? True, this one is the golden Buddha of Phuket Town, one of the first sitting Buddhas in Phuket, built long ago on the hillside of the famous Khao Rang Hill.
Despite being considered significant (at the time), many travellers never visited the charming temple of Wat Khao Rang Samakkhitham because the road to access it was not easy to locate. You have to try hard to deserve it. It may not be as grand as the Big Buddha in Chalong, but it has a discreet charm and is not a tourist attraction. Mostly locals go there to do merit and pray on weekends.
Wat Khao Rang Samakkhitham grounds are divided into two areas. The original and complicated building supports the sitting Buddha on its roof, with its back against the green hillside and the new temple next to it. This new building stands at the top of long stairs decorated with the usual green Naga snakes, quieter but with a good view of another temple across town.
Wat Khao Rang Samakkhitham is on the small Soi Wachira, just past the easy-to-find Vachira Hospital on Yaowarat Road in Phuket Town (turn right at the traffic lights just past the hospital).
More photos of Wat Khao Rang Samakkhitham
Wat Khao Rang Samakkhitham Info
Location: Phuket Town Address: Mueang Phuket, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000 Phone: 076 222 520 Price: free entry Dress Code: No short skirts or short pants, no sleeveless t-shirts
Update 2025 about the Big Buddha Phuket: You can only approach the site, but you can't enter the area. You can see the Big Buddha from a vast open area Read More
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 Read More
Wat Mongkol Nimit or Wat Putta Mongkon might not be the most impressive temple in Phuket but this one means a lot to people living around Phuket Town. All temples Read More
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. Read More
Wat Suwan Kirikhet is a small but beautiful temple in the back of Karon Beach. You’ll find it by driving inland from the Karon Circle. This temple frequently hosts the Read More
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 Read More
Wat Phra Nang Sang, originally known as Wat Takian, was built more than 200 years ago and is one of the oldest Thai temples in Phuket. This unusual temple was Read More
Wat Khao Rang (Kao Rang Temple) is a modest temple in Phuket town that would be somewhat anonymous if it was not for its large and majestic golden sitting Buddha. Read More
Wat Nai Harn was once a small and unknown temple surrounded by walls between the beach and the lake. After adding a brand new building, it expanded to become a Read More
Wat Suwannakhiriwong is a Mahanikaya sect temple located in Patong. Spanning 17 rai, the temple is bordered by Phra Barami Road, a canal, and the foot of a mountain, with Read More
Wat Kathu, or Kathu temple, is a not very well-known landmark among tourists, but local photographers know how beautiful it is. This Buddhist temple is on the way to Phuket Read More
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 Read More
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 Read More
Wat Cherngtalay, historically known as Wat Tin Le, is an ancient and revered temple located in Phuket Province. It has served as a spiritual centre for the people of Cherngtalay Read More
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, Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
Willy Thuan is the founder of Phuket 101. After travelling through 40+ countries and working with Club Med and Expedia, he settled in Phuket in 1994. He shares real travel insights and original photography from across Thailand.View Author posts
