Chinese Shrines in Phuket

Put Jaw Chinese Temple

Located just next to the large Jui Tui Shrine, this is the oldest Chinese temple on the island. The original was built about 200 years ago and underwent a major renovation in 1908. Put Jaw Temple is also known as Kwan Im Teng as it was built in honour of Kwan Im, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy.

Many locals come here to seek help when they have health issues. They shake a box full of bamboo sticks until one falls out. They then use the number written on the stick to get a medication prescription from the temple (written only in Chinese) then take it to a Chinese herbal medicine shop. Many parents with Chinese heritage come to get names for their newborn babies at Put Jaw in the belief that, if properly named, their children with have a good and long life. Photography is allowed, and indeed recommended.

Boon Kaw Kong Shrine

When cresting Patong Hill, most drivers honk their horns. This is to show respect to the Boon Kaw Kong Chinese Shrine that straddles the hill. Built in 1980, it is not a big shrine but it is well respected.

When devotees' wishes are granted they usually come back to pay respect by setting off fire crackers. Some people show open-air movies across the road from the shrine or donate money for the shrine's maintenance. Photography is not allowed inside.

Shrine of the Serene Light

A few doors up to the west of the On On Hotel on Phang Nga Road in Phuket is the Shrine of the Serene Light. This shrine was built in 1889 by a local Chinese family and, up until recently, was hidden away down an obscure alleyway. Nowadays the alley's mouth has been opened up and you can see the temple in all its glory from the road. Further east, where Phang Nga Road meets Thepkassatri Road there is an old vacated bank building facing a police station. The police station was purposely built there after dissatisfied tin mine workers threatened to loot the bank.

Sui Boon Tong Shrine

Commonly known as Lorong Shrine, Sui Boon Tong was founded only about three decades ago by a group of ‘entranced horses’ or mediums. Comparing to other shrines on island, Lorong is quite simple. It’s basically a yellow shop-house that is visible from the roadside. Despite its appearance, it is counted among the most important shrines during the annual Vegetarian Festival. Read More...