Wat Khao Rang

Built many years ago, the temple with the beautiful golden sitting Buddha Khao Rang is the spiritual center of many Buddhists on the island. Not only does it look stunning, but it's also the first big Buddha that Phuket has ever had until the giant Buddha at Nakkerd Hill was built between Chalong and Kata.

Although it is a popular tourist destination, the atmosphere at the temple is always very peaceful. Here you will always see different generations of families coming to make merit by donating fresh food as well as giving alms to the monks every morning. This is one of the best pictures to see in Thailand.

Visiting Wat Khao Rang, don't forget to walk around to see some of Thailand's incredible works of art including the Yommaraj (God of Death) statues, giants of Thai mythology as well as flowers. Traditional carvings on the door and roof of the temple. It also keeps pictures of very revered monks who passed away many years ago.

What makes this temple famous is not only its interesting religious images but also its late famous founder, Luang Pu Supha (locals sometimes refer to Wat Khao Rang as Wat Lung Pu Supa). . Born more than a century ago in a rural area of ​​Issan, he is also known as the "Living Monk" because he lived through the dynasties of 5 Thai kings under the Chakri Dynasty, from King Rama V to King Rama IX. He began his monastic life at the age of nine and was ordained as a samanen (apprentice), then as a monk.

During his younger years, Luang Pu Supha never settled down for long and was always moving to meditate and study the Buddhadharma and help people. He chose Phuket as his last home perhaps because of his age and health. After many years at Wat Khao Rang, he moved to permanent residence at Wat Silsuparam (also known as Wat Mai Luang Pu Supha) in Chalong until his death in 2013.

During his pilgrimages, Luang Pu Supha mainly walked everywhere, including through deep forests. He has been to neighboring countries such as Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore as well as India and China. He was one of the few Thai monks selected to go to France and Eastern Europe, a huge honor.

He is widely known for his merits, knowledge as well as his humble demeanor. He always did charity work and made a great contribution to the development of Buddhism such as building bridges for poor villages and building hospitals for monks. He built and helped renovate more than 30 monasteries around the country, including the Koh Sirey Temple in Phuket.

Wat Khao Rang along with Khao Rang Viewpoint and a host of beautiful restaurants in Khao Rang are often key points in a travel itinerary to Phuket and Andaman.

Opening hours: Wat Khao Rang is open every day of the week from 08:00 to late afternoon