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 Town and not far from Patong, but because it stands away from the main road, most people donโt even consider visiting it.
Wat Kathu is not very big, but certainly has a lot of colourful charm and is beautifully crafted and decorated. On a beautiful day, you can enjoy the contrasting colours: red and gold for the temple, framed by bright green palm trees with an intense tropical blue sky above it. A perfect shot for your Instagram collection or even your selfie!
In addition, it is frequently used as a background for wedding photographs in traditional Thai costumes, making it even more attractive for travellers to visit.
Wat Kathu (เธงเธฑเธเธเธฐเธเธนเน), also known as Wat Nai Tu (เธงเธฑเธเนเธเธเธน), is a historic Buddhist temple established in 1883. The temple was originally situated in a low-lying area prone to flooding, which made religious activities challenging. To address this, the temple was relocated to its current elevated location during the tenure of Kamnan Luang Amnat Nararak. The temple grounds span approximately 26 rai and are divided into three levels: the upper level houses the ordination hall (ubosot), the middle level contains the monksโ living quarters and a sermon hall, and the lower level is used for agricultural purposes and includes facilities like a kitchen and rest areas. Significant structures within the temple complex include the main ordination hall built in 1981, a sermon hall constructed in 1976, and the revered principal Buddha image known as โLuang Pho Mai Riap.โ Wat Kathu has been a centre for Buddhist education since 1956 and continues to serve as a spiritual and community hub for local residents.
The temple, consisting of several small pavilions, plays an important part in the annual Kathu Festival, which usually occurs in July.
What to do near the temple?
There are quite a few things to enjoy if you are in the Kathu area. The best known are the Kathu Waterfalls and the Phuket Wake Park. For lunch, why not try Krua Jongjit Restaurant, a good and inexpensive restaurant that even received a Michelin Bib award?
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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
