Are Wat Chalong and Wat Chaithararam different temples?
They are the same temple. Wat Chaithararam is its formal name, and it is widely known as Wat Chalong. The temple is about 8 km southwest of Phuket Town.
Wat Chalongวัดฉลอง
Phuket · Phuket Buddhist temple honouring revered monks
Wat Chalong’s formal name is Wat Chaithararam. At this temple southwest of Phuket Town, you can see richly decorated halls as well as revered monk statues covered in layers of gold leaf offered by local people.
Luang Pho Chaem is remembered for helping residents during the unrest around the tin mines in 1876. Look at the traces of devotional offerings inside the halls, then explore a temple connected with Phuket’s local history before the island became known as a beach destination.
Location and getting there
Find Wat Chaithararam southwest of Phuket Town
The temple’s formal name is Wat Chaithararam. It is about 8 km southwest of Phuket Town. Search for Wat Chalong / Wat Chaithararam, Phuket on your map.
Essential visitor information
- Visiting hours
- 08:00–17:00
- Worship
- Free
What can you see?
Luang Pho Chaem, who helped residents during the mining unrest
Wat Chalong’s formal name is Wat Chaithararam. The temple honours monks who helped residents during the unrest among Phuket’s tin-mine workers in 1876. The revered monk statues in the halls are more than decoration: they commemorate figures whom local people relied on at the time.
Luang Pho Chaem was also known for meditation practice and traditional medicine. The Tourism Authority of Thailand notes that King Rama V conferred a monastic title on him. His story brings together the island’s mining history and local religious life from before Phuket became known as a beach destination.
Layers of gold leaf show how people pay their respects
Layers of gold leaf offered by worshippers cover the monk statues. The surface is densely coated with gold leaf as people express gratitude and respect to the revered monks. After looking around the ornate architecture, take a quiet moment inside the hall to observe the ongoing acts of worship.
Give worshippers room when they pray or make offerings. If you take photographs, be mindful that these halls are active places of worship, not just displays of statues.
Visit the temple between Phuket Town and the beaches
The temple is about 8 km southwest of Phuket Town. It is a separate trip from the Old Town streets or Patong Beach, so it is practical to plan the order of your visit around where you are staying.
If you want to visit after spending time at the beach, travel in time for the temple’s daytime visiting hours. You can explore the halls inside and out and quietly observe local people paying respects to the monk statues.
Before you visit
Recommended clothing for visiting the temple
Visitors of all genders are advised to wear clothing that covers the shoulders and knees. A sleeved top with long trousers or a skirt that covers the knees is a practical choice. Please dress modestly rather than wearing a sleeveless top or short bottoms.
Frequently asked questions
Why are the monk statues in the halls covered with gold leaf?
Local people offered the gold leaf to express respect and gratitude to revered monks, including Luang Pho Chaem. He helped residents during the 1876 tin-mine unrest and was also known for meditation and traditional medicine.
Related places and travel information
Sources checked:
Sharing image credit: Deepak-nsk / Wikimedia Commons · CC0