Wat Ladthi Wanaram, located in Chalong 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 (B.E. 2301) and received its royal charter on February 5, 1957 (B.E. 2500). The temple was later relocated to a new site known as Wat Chaithararam, leaving the original location deserted for a time, and it was used by locals as a cemetery, commonly referred to as Khok Wat.
In 1903 (B.E. 2446), a wandering monk arrived and set up a tent in the area, which impressed the villagers. They built a new temple for him, gradually transforming it into a well-established site. By 1964 (B.E. 2507), it had earned recognition as a model of development. Since 1957 (B.E. 2500), the temple has been a centre for Buddhist scripture education, and it also houses a primary school, a museum, and a library.
Among the key structures in the temple are the Ubosot, measuring 7 by 17 meters, completed in 1957; the Sala Karn Parian, 10 by 15 meters, a two-and-a-half-story wooden and brick structure built in 1937; and the Prayer Hall, 11 by 15 meters, built in 1939. Other buildings include four monks’ huts, a pavilion for merit-making, and a crematorium. The principal Buddha images are housed in both the Ubosot and the Sala Karn Parian, with the former being built in 1957 and the latter donated in 1967.
(Translated from Thai Wiki)
Wat Ladthi Wanaram (Wat Tai) Info
Location: Chalong Address: 8 Chao Fa Tawan Tok Road, Chalong, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000 Price: free Dress Code: No short skirts or short pants, no sleeveless T-shirts
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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
