Temples of Koh Samui

One of the most striking and interesting cultural attractions of Koh Samui are its temples. There are simply too many of them here. These are mostly traditional Thai Buddhist temples, but there are also Chinese, an Orthodox church, a mosque in the Muslim village of Koh Samui.

Of course, during one trip to Koh Samui you won't be able to see everything. Yes, it is not necessary. It is enough to see only the most interesting and somewhat stand out from the rest. To do this, we have compiled a list of the most interesting temples in our opinion.

If you have absolutely limited time and opportunities, we recommend that you limit yourself to visiting the following:

• Temple of Khun Aram (Wat Khun Aram) and the mummy of a monk
• Temple of Plai Laem
• Phra Yai Temple and Big Buddha Statue

Separately, we mention that on Koh Samui there are three temples in which the mummies of monks are kept. These are temples:

• Temple of Khun Aram (Wat Khun Aram) and the mummy of a monk
• Kiri Wongkaram Temple
• Laem sor Temple and Pagoda

Temple of Khun Aram (Wat Khun Aram) and the mummy of a monk

This temple houses the mummy of a monk named Luang Pho Daeng, the former abbot of the temple. The mummy "sits" in a glass box for all to see. It is said that this monk knew the time of his death and, having prepared for it, died on May 6, 1976 right during meditation, as you can see it now. They also say that his hair and nails are still growing, but in fact this is complete nonsense.

This is the most popular tourist temple on the island (but not the only one on the island with a mummy), and in general it would not be an exaggeration to say that this is one of the most famous attractions of Koh Samui. It is almost never empty here, and whole crowds of tourists are constantly brought in (especially in the hours before lunch), because visiting this place is included in almost every sightseeing tour of the island. In addition, the temple is very conveniently located along the ring road, and the mummy in a glass sarcophagus is displayed at the very entrance to the temple, like an attraction. By the way, this place is popular not only among tourists, but also among locals who come to the temple to pray and leave donations at the mummy. For them, the mummy and the temple are far from being an attraction, but a shrine.

Learn more about Wat Khun Aram temple and photos here...

Temple of Plai Laem (Wat Plai Laem)

Plai Laem Temple (Wat Plai Laem, also Wat Laem Suwannaram) is, in our opinion, the most interesting and beautiful temple on Koh Samui. It is not as popular and popular as the temple with the monk Khun Aram or the big Buddha, located not far from here, but it is much more picturesque, and even offers some entertainment.

It is quite modern, built in 2004. It combines three styles of temple buildings at once: classical Thai, Chinese, Indian. Each style is expressed in the form of individual elements of buildings or in statues. So, the main statue of the temple here depicts the goddess Guanyin in the Chinese style, but there is also a huge statue of a happy sitting Buddha. The main viharn is made in traditional Thai style. There is also a huge footprint of the Buddha. But the most interesting thing is that two statues and a temple are located on an artificial lake, and it seems as if they are floating on the surface of the water.

The lake is home to huge fat catfish and small turtles, which can be fed by buying a bag of food here for 10 baht. And for 100 baht you can ride on the lake on a swan boat.

Learn more about Wat Plai Laem temple and photos here...

Wat Ratchathammaram Temple (also Wat Sila Ngu)

This new unusual temple appeared a few years ago in the south of Lamai beach on Koh Samui. Today it is almost completed, but the work is still ongoing.

Wat Ratchathammaram looks very impressive and unusual. Against the background of other temples, it stands out for its vihar of a juicy red-brick color. The entrance to the viharn is guarded by a giant warrior and nagas (snakes), the roofs are crowned with garuda birds, and inside the walls are decorated with the same monochrome red-brick reliefs of religious themes with the participation of god Ganesha (elephant-headed) and Hanuman (monkey god). The sacred bodhi tree also grows on the territory of the temple.

If you walk through the territory of the temple towards the shore, you can get to the observation deck, which overlooks the shore, and at the bottom of the slope there is a cemetery (urns with ashes) and monks' houses.

You should definitely not go to this temple, but considering that it is located right on the ring road on the shore, and almost all routes to the most interesting sights of the island lead past it, you can stop here for 10-15 minutes.

Learn more about Wat Ratchathammaram temple and photos here...

Laem sor Temple and Pagoda

This temple and pagoda, also known as the golden pagoda, are located far to the south of the island, away from beaches and tourist areas. And with a cursory glance at this place, it may not be particularly impressive. However, for locals it is one of the most sacred places on the island.

Most tourists, if they get here, quickly inspect the golden pointed pagoda, and leave a little disappointed. However, if you take your time and walk around, you can find a pavilion-shrine with boats (Boat Hall). In the pavilion there is a large boat with a wax figure of the revered monk who founded this temple, and the whole pavilion is simply strewn with boat models. They are brought here by believers as a gift for the fact that their wishes addressed to the monk and the Buddha have come true.

A couple of hundred meters from the pagoda there is an unusual temple building made in the form of a boat. Moreover, the boat-temple is located right in the water, in an artificial pond. The temple continues to be completed, and perhaps over time a whole temple complex will grow here. There is another white pagoda (Khao Chedi) on the hill nearby, and from the hill there is a good view of the surrounding area.

Learn more about the temple and the Laem Sor pagoda and photos here...

Buddha Footprint (Kaw Lae)

The footprint of Buddha's foot (Buddha Footprint) is a little–known and little-visited place for tourists, and indeed, most of the townsfolk have nothing to do here, there is nothing unusual at first glance. But for the locals it is a very sacred place, besides it is almost secret. It is said that this imprint and the temple are more than 300 years old. And if you are one of those who follows uncharted paths, it's worth a look here.

This is a modest temple on a hill, inside of which there are four huge footprints of the Buddha one in the other. There is nothing to see here except prints, and the temple itself can be called such with a stretch: it is a small dilapidated abandoned building. But it will be interesting for inquisitive travelers to find this place. An inconspicuous path and stairs lead to the temple. It is not high to climb, only 150 steps.

Learn more about the footprint of the Buddha and the photo here...

Wat Praderm Temple

This temple may be completely unnoticed, but it is already more than 230 years old, and it is believed that this is the very first Buddhist temple built on Koh Samui. There are almost never any tourists here, and locals visit it en masse only on holidays, so almost certainly if you come here on a weekday, you will be completely alone here.

The temple is a whole complex on which there are several viharns (one of them is wooden and very old, with a massacre), kuti (a room for monks), a drum tower. Unfortunately, not all rooms of the temple are open on weekdays, and the most interesting thing, namely the old wooden viharn, most likely, will not be able to inspect.

Learn more about the Wat Praderm temple and photos here...

Wat Samret Temple

The temple of Samret (Wat Samret) is deprived of the increased attention of tourists, so you will almost certainly find yourself here alone. Its visitors are only rare visiting travelers looking for something interesting on the island away from the beaten tourist trails, and rare locals.

Samret is not a very old temple, its age is just over 100 years. But there is a highlight in this temple, and this is a small statue of a seated Buddha carved from a single piece of white marble. It is believed that this statue is the oldest Buddha statue on Koh Samui, and it is said that it was brought from Burma. The statue is located in a separate building surrounded by many other Buddha statues. In addition, the temple has a Buddhist cemetery and a crematorium, and the temple itself is a monastery.

Learn more about Wat Samret temple and photos here...

Kiri Wongkaram Temple

This temple is little known and little visited by tourists, but in vain. In this temple, as well as in the Khun Aram temple, the most popular among tourists on the island, there is a mummy of a monk. A monk named Loung Por Ruam died at the age of 87, and after his death his body was embalmed and placed in the temple in a glass box.

Local monks say that in fact no one embalmed the monk, and he himself remained so after death. They also say that his nails and hair are still growing, which they cut off and sell to rare visitors of the temple in the form of amulets. Believe it or not, it's up to you to decide.

The temple is almost always empty, tourists rarely get here. The territory is quite impressive, and in addition to the mummy there is a Buddhist cemetery, a viharn, a drum tower and other traditional temple buildings. In addition to visiting the temple, you will get another attraction in addition: the entrance to the village of Baan Taling Ngam, in which the temple is located, is guarded by two statues of elephants.

Learn more about Wat Kiri Wongkaram temple and photos here...

Phra Yai Temple and Big Buddha Statue (Wat Phra Yai)

In this temple, also known as the temple of the Big Buddha (Big Buddha Temple) there is a statue of the big Buddha with a height of 15 meters. It is located on a mountain, and it is perfectly visible even from distant parts of the island. And the statue is the first to greet all guests arriving on Koh Samui by plane.

The statue is one of the most famous and popular attractions on the island, and its visit is included in most sightseeing tours. At the foot of the mountain with the statue there is a market where souvenirs, food and religious paraphernalia are sold. There is a parking lot.

You will have to climb the mountain to the statue on foot along the so-called dragon ladder, but it's not much to go, anyone can climb. Upstairs, in addition to the large statue, there are several more statues and temple buildings, and from the observation deck there is a view of the sea and the neighboring islands of Phangan and Tao.

Learn more The temple of Pra Yai and the statue of the big Buddha and the photo are here...

Temple of Lamai (Wat Lamai)

This is the main temple of Lamai district. The temple is quite simple and dilapidated, and worth paying attention only if you are staying in the Lamai beach area and want to see the local sights on foot.

Previously, there was a cultural center and a folklore museum at the temple, but now everything is abandoned and you will not find any museum here, even though many guidebooks and maps indicate this.

Temple On Phra Lan (Laem Na Phra Lan)

This is one of the little-known and modest temples on Koh Samui, but, nevertheless, beautiful enough to visit, especially if you settle in the area of Mae Nam beach. On the territory there are all the traditional buildings for any Thai temple, there is a pagoda and a statue of King Rama V. And the temple also became a haven for the ashes of the famous Thai monk Than Khura Phutsom, who founded it. It is always quiet here, there are no visitors or even monks. But the real influx of believers here is observed on the last day of May and the first day of June to honor the memory of the founder.

Orthodox church on Koh Samui

The Parish in the name of the Ascension of the Lord is the only Orthodox church on Koh Samui, located in the Lamai Beach area. It was consecrated and opened on June 13, 2013.

🌐 Website: http://samui.orthodox.or.th/

Temples of Koh Samui on the map