Wat Mongkhon Wararam (Wat Nai Yang)

A peaceful temple in Nai Yang

Wat Mongkhon Wararam, more commonly known as Wat Nai Yang, is a peaceful Buddhist temple located just 500 metres from Nai Yang Beach, next to the Proud Hotel in the Sakhu area. We’ve passed by many times over the years, but decided to stop and spend more time exploring the temple grounds. It turned out to be a quiet and meaningful place, popular with locals but still welcoming to travellers.

The temple plays an important role in the local community. It’s the main spiritual centre for people in the Sakhu Subdistrict in northern Phuket, and it’s much older than it looks at first glance. Wat Nai Yang was officially founded in 1757, which makes it one of the more historic temples in this part of the island. The name “Mongkhon Wararam” was given later when it received royal recognition, a sign of its importance.

The temple complex is modest in size but has a good mix of traditional buildings. There’s a well-preserved ordination hall (ubosot) with a double-tiered roof and murals inside showing scenes from the Buddha’s life. We also noticed an open-air sermon hall, a few monk residences, and a shrine with a white reclining Buddha that looked recently built. The mirrored tiles covering some of the walls really stand out when the sunlight hits them.

A key figure here is Luang Pho Nang Seua, a highly respected monk who once served as abbot. He originally came from Sisaket Province in northeastern Thailand, but later became a central spiritual figure for the people of Phuket. His image is placed inside the temple, and visitors—both locals and Thai tourists—often stop to pray or ask for blessings. His reputation for wisdom and compassion lives on.

Even though it’s not one of Phuket’s most famous temples, Wat Nai Yang feels genuine. There’s no entry fee, and no one is pushing for donations or photos. Just a calm atmosphere, especially in the mornings when locals come to make merit. It’s a nice stop if you’re staying near Nai Yang Beach or have a bit of time before catching a flight (the airport is only a few minutes away).

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