Temples and Shrines

Phuket has many temples, in Thailand the name for temple is Wat and is known as a place of respect and worship. As Thailand is a Buddhist country there are temples in every corner and are as important a part in society as they were in the old days. Along with Buddhist temples there are many other kinds of temples in Thailand including Muslim mosques and Chinese Shrines; these temples can get busy during the Phuket Vegetable Festival and Chinese New Year when huge crowds come to celebrate the events. When visiting Buddhist places of worship it is a must to follow certain etiquette which includes dressing conservatively, being sensitive as well as being considerate to other cultures and religions.

Wat Chalong
Wat Chalong is one of the most important Buddhist temples in Phuket and is adored by local Thai's for its healing powers. Inside the temple the prayer hall contains three statues of the most respected monks Luang Por Chaem, Luang Por Chuang and Luang Por Gluam. Luang Por Chaem is the monk who is well known for the temples fame in being a place of healing. There are many stories of legend about the temple and many people visiting pay respect to the statues, make offerings and ask for their blessing.

Wat Phra Nang Sang
Wat Phra Nang Sang is the oldest temple in Phuket built over 200 years ago back when Thalang was still the capital of the island. In 1785 the battle of Thalang took place on the grounds of the temple where local people fought with Burmese invaders. Legend has it that the Burmese wanted the temples Lai Tong which are religious manuscripts folded in the shape of an accordion, these manuscripts were said to contain treasure maps.

Chinese Shrines
There are many Chinese Shrines throughout Phuket and one of the most important shrines on the island is Put Jaw Temple dedicated to the Daoist goddess Kuan Yin, the Daoist Goddess of Mercy. The temple has been recently renovated but dates back over 200 years and is located in the centre of the city.

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