Wat Khuha Sawan

Wat Khuha Sawan is Phatthalung’s oldest temple and the first in the province to be elevated to royal status — not, despite what some listings claim, a Trang attraction. It sits right in Mueang Phatthalung district, about 600 metres from Phatthalung Railway Station, built into a limestone hill with a cave system spread across three levels. The name means roughly “heavenly cave temple.” Archaeological evidence — Srivijaya-era votive tablets — points to religious use of the site as far back as the 8th to 10th century, long before the current Ayutthaya-period temple buildings went up.

The main ground-level cave is the one most visitors see: a large reclining Buddha, a cluster of smaller standing and seated images, and stone inscriptions bearing the signatures of Kings Rama V, Rama VII, and Rama IX, along with Queen Mother Sirikit, left during royal visits over the past century. A short walk from the main cave is Tham Nang Khlot, a smaller chamber with stucco figures depicting characters from local Thai folk tales. Above ground, the temple complex adds an ordination hall, a green multi-tiered chedi, and a bell tower positioned on the hillside with views back over Phatthalung town.

Wild monkeys move freely around the grounds and hillside — expect to see troops near the entrance and food stalls, and keep any food or plastic bags out of sight rather than in hand. Inside the cave, natural light fades quickly past the entrance chamber; a phone torch is enough for the main cave, though the upper levels are darker.

Insider Tip: Combine the visit with the walk from Phatthalung Railway Station — it’s flat, shaded in parts, and turns what could be a quick taxi stop into a proper look at the town centre.

Watch out: The monkeys here are used to visitors and will take food directly from hands or bags left open. Keep snacks zipped away and don’t offer food deliberately.

Cover shoulders and knees before entering the cave shrines, and remove shoes at the marked points. Mornings are cooler and less crowded than midday, when the heat off the surrounding rock builds up outside the cave mouth.