Phuket has over 40 Buddhist temples spread across the island. Most visitors see one or two, usually Wat Chalong and the Big Buddha, and come away with a partial picture of what the island’s Buddhist culture actually looks like. Here is a more complete guide.
Remove shoes before entering any temple building. Cover shoulders and knees — a lightweight shawl or sarong carried specifically for this purpose is the practical solution. Speak quietly inside temple grounds. Do not climb on or touch Buddha images. When sitting inside a temple, position your feet away from the main altar rather than pointing them toward it. Photography inside the temple buildings requires discretion — observe whether other visitors are photographing before assuming it is welcome.
Monks are the visible representatives of the sangha (the Buddhist community) and occupy a specific social position. Do not touch monks, particularly if you are female — objects should be placed within reach rather than handed directly. Monks conduct their alms collection (tak bat) early in the morning and this is a genuine religious practice, not a photo opportunity; respectful observation from a distance is appropriate.
The most visited and most significant Buddhist temple on the island, Wat Chalong houses the revered images of two 19th-century abbots — Luang Por Cham and Luang Por Chaem — who are credited with healing the wounded during a tin miner rebellion and are still the objects of devotion by Thai people from across the region. The main building is elaborately decorated and the atmosphere, particularly on Buddhist holidays when the grounds fill with local worshippers, is genuinely moving.
Technically not a temple but a religious site of significant importance. The 45-metre white marble image on Nakkerd Hill is visible from most of southern Phuket and the views from the complex looking in every direction are exceptional. The hilltop is decorated with smaller Buddha images and Bodhisattva figures and there is an active area for making merit. Go early — the spiritual atmosphere is more present before the tour groups arrive.
Located in the heart of Phuket Old Town, Wat Mongkol Nimit is a working temple within walking distance of the Sino-Portuguese shophouses and represents the Buddhist community that has coexisted with the town’s Chinese culture for centuries. Quieter and less visited than Wat Chalong, it rewards a visit on a weekday morning when the monks are in residence and the temple is being used rather than toured.
The smaller wats scattered through the island’s villages and residential areas offer a picture of Thai Buddhist life that the major tourist temples do not. Drive through any Thai neighbourhood — particularly outside the tourist zones — and you will find wats whose grounds are the community gathering point, whose monks are known by name to the local families, and whose ceremonies are attended by the people who live around them. These are not tourist destinations and should be approached with corresponding respect. But a quiet, appropriately dressed visitor who is clearly there out of genuine interest is usually welcome.
— Captain Mark
Exceptional, uncrowded island day trips from Phuket. Family-owned and operated since 2004.
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