Monkey Cave Temple Wat Suwan Khuha - Phang Nga Town
Ancient Cave Temple With A Mesmerizing Fusion Of Natural Wonder & Cultural Heritage
THAILAND: PHANG NGA
Monkey Cave Temple (Wat Suwan Khuha) is a hidden gem that beckons to be explored by adventurous travellers. This ancient cave temple is a mesmerizing fusion of natural wonder and cultural heritage and is most famous for its 15m long Golden Reclining Buddha and its playful Macaque monkeys.
As you venture into the vast limestone cavern, you'll be greeted by the soft glow of sunlight filtering through the crevices, casting an ethereal light on the intricate Buddhist shrines and statues that adorn the interior.
As you make your way deeper into the cave, Wat Suwan Khuha's serene atmosphere and unique blend of spirituality and nature make it a must-visit destination for those seeking a unique experience in Thailand.
The resident Macaque monkeys with their playful antics add an extra layer of charm to the experience.
Wat Suwan Khuha is approximately 80km from Phuket, 75km from Khao Lak and 10km from Phang Nga town. It is easy to find if you are driving your own transport and you can self-guide once inside.
As Wat Suwan Khuha is a popular stop for tourists on the James Bond Island Trip from Phuket and Khao Lak it is busier than other temples in the area.
On arrival and before you get to the entrance of Wat Suwan Khuha, you will find vendors selling drinks and snacks as well as bags of food for the monkeys and pigeons.
Once you pass through the entrance to the cave you will find a large cavern approximately forty meters long and twenty meters wide. You be surprised by the Golden Reclining Buddha and you will find several other standing Buddha images and a big Chedi which contains bones of the Na Takuathung family who were the local governors about 160 years ago and who arranged for the construction of a shrine in the cave. The whole place is also decorated with numerous religious items as well as the monogram of the King and several royal families
When we visited a monk was meditating in front of the Buddha, surrounded by some lazy napping cats. There are some stairs to the right of the reclining buddha which lead to another small cave with a golden stupa.
At the end of the large first cave you will find a staircase up to a second level. You can exit here to the right to find a forested area and some smaller caves with bats. Turn left and there’s more stairs right to the top of another large cave. The cave is well-lit and there’s stunning stalactites and rock formations here.
Don't forget to look up to see the hanging bats!
You will find the Macaques in the gardens surrounding the caves and they will approach you for food. Keep hold of your personal possession as the monkeys can be quite cheeky and snatch any loose items. It’s a personal preference whether you choose to feed them or not.
Visiting Wat Suwan Khuha
Wat Suwan Khuha was perfect for us travelling with teenagers as there was the excitement of exploring a cave and the fun of interacting with the playful monkeys.
Opening times 08.00 - 17.00 Entry is THB20, the fee may be included if on a package tour.
When visiting a Buddhist temple, it's essential to dress modestly and respectfully. This means covering your shoulders, knees, and midriff.
There are lots of vendors in the parking area selling drinks and snacks. Toilets are just outside the cave.
Wat Suwan Khuha is a one-of-a-kind temple that's well worth a visit simply due to it's cave location, the reclining buddha and of course the monkeys. It is an easy drive from Phuket, Khao Lak or Phang Nga town and you can self guide, you will only need about an hour. If you are not on a package tour you may decide to hire a local guide if you want to learn about the history of the temple.
You can visit this temple on an organised tour from Khao Lak including Dragon Cave Temple (Wat Praya Nakarach) and Wat Bang Riang (Wat Rat Uppatham) - Reserve your tour now and pay later, with free cancellation - click here
Where to stay in
Phang Nga
Phang Nga Town itself may not be as popular as some of the nearby tourist destinations, but it provides a convenient budget friendly base for exploring the surrounding attractions.
Phang Nga town is mainly built up along the main highway running North / South. There are plenty of accommodation options ranging from simple guest houses right inside the town to 5* resorts and villas on the outskirts.
We stayed at the budget friendly TP Place Hotel which had onsite parking and was easy walking distance from the attractions we visited in the town. We stayed in two rooms next to each other and they accommodated our request for one double bed and two single beds. The rooms were basic but had everything we needed for a quick sleepover in-between exploring the area. There were shops and restaurants within walking distance.
We also stayed at Rachawadee House which had onsite parking directly in front of your room and was easy walking distance to the attractions in town. The nightmarket is next to the guesthouse and breakfast can be located along the main road. There is a washing machine onsite. We stayed in two rooms, one with a double bed and one with twin beds. The rooms were basic but had everything you need for a sleepover after a long day exploring.
You may choose to stay at the mid-range priced 4* Le Erawan Phang Nga Hotel located just outside the main town with large, comfortable and clean rooms.
There is a great selection of inexpensive Thai restaurants dotted along the main highway. If you are looking for western style food there are great restaurants at the lakeside on Thetsaban Bamrung. We can highly recommend Raruen Bar and Bistro which serves Thai and European favourites with live music and great drinks.
The view from our balcony
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