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Phuket’s Oldest Temple and the Legacy of the Two Heroines
Wat Thep Kasattri is the first temple ever built in Phuket, dating back to around 1476. Most visitors drive past it on the way to the beaches without knowing it’s here. I stopped by recently and found a quiet forest temple with an immense Buddha statue, a reclining Buddha, and bronze statues of the famous Two Heroines.
The temple was originally called Wat Ban Don. After Lady Chan and her sister Lady Muk led the defence against the Burmese invasion in 1786, King Rama I renamed it Wat Thep Kasattri in her honour. Lady Chan received the royal title Thao Thep Kasattri for organising the month-long resistance that saved Phuket.
What You’ll See
The temple grounds are spread through a forest of tall trees. A large gold seated Buddha dominates one area, with a distinctive metal halo wheel behind it. Nearby, gold statues of revered monks sit under ceremonial umbrellas. The bronze statues of the Two Heroines stand near a golden chedi, swords in hand.
Inside the ordination hall, the walls are covered floor to ceiling with small Buddha tiles, hundreds of them in neat rows. A gold reclining Buddha stretches across one side. The original hall dates to 1871, though the temple received its royal charter way back in 1532.
The Chad Parade
Every October during the tenth lunar month festival, the Ban Don community holds the Chad parade. Locals carry decorated offering structures to the temple starting around midnight. In 2025, more than 20 Chad participated. It’s one of those local traditions that tourists rarely see.
Visiting
The temple is on Highway 4030 in Thalang, about 10 minutes north of the Heroines Monument. Free entry. Open daily, best visited during daylight. Dress modestly, cover shoulders and knees.
It’s not a polished tourist attraction. The grounds felt a bit rough in places, with construction ongoing. But that’s part of the appeal. This is a working temple where locals come to pray, not a museum. Ten minutes is enough for a quick look, longer if you want to explore properly.
Wat Thep Kasattri Photos
Wat Thep Kasattri Info
Location: Cherngtalay
Address: 190 Ban Don, Thanon Bandon-Cherngtalay, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket 83110
Phone: 076311894
Wat Thep Kasattri Map
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