Phuket Buddhist Temples

Wat Suwan Khiri Khet

Wat Suwan Khiri Khet (Wat Karon), the only temple in Karon Beach, was founded in 1895 and has been recently renovated. Small but attractive, it is easily accessible from Karon by walk and worth a visit, and a photo.

The main building is 'guarded by two large, emerald green nagas (serpents) and the interior of the building's walls, doors and window panels depict the life of Buddha, including his 'Ten Lives' and him struggling with evil prior to his enlightenment.

The smaller building houses two Ramayana images 'guarding' a beautiful black sapphire Buddha image. A similar Buddha image can be seen at Latthiwanaram Temple (Wat Tai) in Chalong.

Wat Phranang Sang

Meaning 'Temple built by a queen,' Wat Pra-nang Sang was built some 545 years ago, making it the oldest temple in Phuket. There are very old tin Buddha statues, wrought when tin was considered a semiprecious metal. Each of the images contains a smaller Buddha image.

In the yard just outside the Wat, there is a monument to the first abbot. Not so far from there is a mummy of former abbot Luang Poh Bai (or Ziang). There are also statues of Phuket's 'two heroines' Lady Chan and Lady Mook, as well as a large reclining Buddha. The Wat itself has a wonderful interior, featuring murals of the Lord Buddha's life and pictures of important historical events.

In 1973, the then-Governor of Phuket was officiating over a ceremony at the Wat. At this 'uncovering' ceremony, a head of a Buddha image made of tin was discovered inside the stomach of one of the large Buddha images. About two weeks later, they found one more head inside a second Buddha image. These are the world largest tin Buddha heads. It was presumed that in the past, with the imminent invasion by Burmese troops, town members built the tin Buddha images in which to hide the heads to save them from the enemy.

The ground in front of the wat was where locals gathered to fight with the invading Burmese troops. It was also the place where Lady Chan and Lady Mook, after they were assigned the royal titles of Thao Thepkrasatri and Thao Srisunthorn, paid respect to the temple's principle Buddha image

Wat Srisoonthorn

Known by locals as Wat Lipon, this wat was built in 1792. It was later named Wat Srisoonthorn by King Rama I. The first impression visitors receive in entering the grounds is of the 29-metre-high Sleeping Buddha on top of the wat’s central building, so large that it is noticeable from the road outside.

This image represents the Lord Buddha going into Nirvana. Nearby are nine other smaller Buddha images in different positions – all facing the entrance as if welcoming people.

Wat Putta Mongkon

Often referred to as Wat Klang (meaning centre temple) because of its location in the heart of Phuket Town, Wat Buddhamongkol has beautiful architectural features, including a yellow chedi (pagoda), a small bell tower and a Sino-Portuguese colonial mansion used as a dormitory for the temple monks. There are two ways to enter this wat; by Thepkasatri Road or by Dibuk Road opposite the famous Soi Romanee.

Wat Kajonrangsan

Wat Kajonrangsan, or Wat Kajon for short, is an unusual Buddhist temple in terms of architecture. The main building (or Pra U-bosod) was built in the Roman style (unique in Phuket). It also has a beautiful set of Thai-style pagodas.

At about 07:00 – 08:00 in the morning, visitors will come across quite a busy place. This is because Wat Kajonrangsan School is located in the same compound. It might be fun to be there early to observe the traditional Thai way of life where the temple is at the heart of everything, including education.

Wat Kathu

Wat Kosit Wihan