Wat Khao Tham, Koh Phangan

Wat Khao Tham is a traditional Thai temple and monastery that is open to visitors, although it is not a traditional tourist attraction. The temple is located in the forested hills above Baan Tai town on Koh Pha Ngan, an island in the Gulf of Thailand, north of Koh Samui. The temple grounds feature a beautiful traditional temple with a large reclining Buddha image, as well as a viewpoint that offers a panoramic view of the forest, the Gulf of Thailand, and nearby islands.

As you walk through the temple grounds, you will come across scattered chedis, small statues and stone carvings. The temple also features a “Buddha footprint” and paintings depicting the life of Buddha. Visitors are welcome to come and meditate at the temple, and Phra Chaiwat, the temple’s abbot, occasionally gives dhamma teachings during the monthly retreat at the adjacent Khao Tham Insight Meditation Center.

When visiting Wat Khao Tham, it is important to be mindful of the appropriate ways to dress and behave as it is a consecrated temple. Visitors are required to wear a mask at all times, cover their bodies from neck to knees, including shoulders and upper arms, remove their shoes when entering any temple or building on the grounds and behave mindfully and quietly. Visitors should also refrain from taking photos of people without their permission, and should not sit or stand next to statues or place anything on them.