Wat Sok Tham Phanthurat Temple, nestled in the Khlong Sok Subdistrict of Thailand, is a hidden gem that invites visitors to experience serenity and spiritual reflection. With its stunning architecture and peaceful surroundings, this temple is a must-visit for those seeking a genuine Thai cultural experience.
Nestled in the heart of Khlong Sok Subdistrict, Wat Sok Tham Phanthurat Temple is a sanctuary that embodies peace, spirituality, and Thai architectural beauty. This temple serves as a spiritual haven for both locals and travelers alike, offering a chance to immerse oneself in the tranquil atmosphere of Buddhism.
As you approach Wat Sok Tham Phanthurat, the intricate designs and vibrant colors of the temple’s structures immediately captivate your senses. The temple’s main hall, adorned with stunning murals and traditional motifs, showcases the rich history and culture of Thailand. Visitors can take a moment to reflect in the serene courtyard, surrounded by lush greenery and the soft sounds of nature, creating a perfect environment for meditation and contemplation.
One of the most striking features of Wat Sok Tham Phanthurat is its welcoming community. Monks and local worshippers can often be seen engaging in daily rituals, inviting guests to join them in their spiritual practices. This connection with the local culture provides a unique perspective on traditional Thai life and the importance of Buddhist teachings in the community.
The temple is also known for its seasonal festivals, which draw people from neighboring areas to celebrate the rich traditions of Buddhism. These events offer visitors a chance to experience the local culture through food, music, and dance, creating memorable moments that resonate long after the visit.
Visitors to Wat Sok Tham Phanthurat Temple can easily combine their trip with exploring the natural beauty of Khlong Sok. The surrounding area is lush with tropical flora and fauna, providing ample opportunities for hiking, wildlife spotting, and enjoying Thailand’s stunning landscapes.
Whether you’re seeking spiritual enlightenment, a glimpse into local culture, or simply a peaceful getaway, Wat Sok Tham Phanthurat Temple offers an enriching experience unlike any other. Come and discover the serene atmosphere of this remarkable temple, where the essence of Thailand’s spiritual heritage comes alive.
วัดสกถ้ำพันธุรัตน์ (พนม, ไทย) - รีวิว - ThailandAgoda.com
Wat Sok Tham Phanthurat Temple is perched on a picturesque hilltop overlooking Khlong Sok Subdistrict, Thailand
Located half a mile along the road from the Bus Stop at the entrance road to Khao Sok National Park. In the direction of Khao Sok Good View Resort and Surat Thani. The Wat is fairly new. We went to its blessing in November 2013. However the statue of a young Buddha in the entrance to a cave in the grounds suggests this has been a sacred Buddhist location for much longer. The Wat is located next to a sheer limestone outcrop that is common to the area. If you want to walk to the top there is a walk way built into the face with more caves on the way up. On the far side of the outcrop is the Khao Sok National Park. Wild Macques come over the cliff to the Wat where the monks and tourists can feed them. At the wat entrance the is a kiosk that charges a small entrance fee and also sells Bananas and Peanuts to feed to the Macaques. The main Wat building can be entered and has some beautiful Buddhist images in it as common to all Wats. Please respect that it is a Buddhist temple when entering.
To be honest, my wife and I just went here to take pictures with the monkeys. We did not visit the temple or caves because the monkeys were right inside the entrance hanging around a water basin and some small shrines. There is a booth at the entrance to collect a small fee and also sells peanuts and fruit. Be warned: these monkeys are fearless. They will climb on you, grab at your stuff, and jump on your car. I think I was more afraid of them then they were of me. In fact, one of them grabbed my wife’s Instax camera and scampered away with it. We had to bribe it with snacks to get the camera back. We were only there for 10 minutes but we ended up getting some great pics with these little guys and girls.
we were allowed to feed the monkeys with peanuts then were taken into a temple cave next door very pretty area but were ushered in and out quickly
Only a lot of apesOnly a lot of apes. Vers NiceTempel/place : abandoned tempel !!Easy to walk from Koa sok, 15 min
Good fun feeding the monkeys and watching them up the cliffside. Entry was a cheap 20 baht with 20 baht monkey food on offer. There’s a temple looking building on site that we didn’t go into. Otherwise there’s a cool little cave with some buddhist statues – you can walk right in to the back of it to an underground water supply. Probably wouldn’t come here for the cultural significance, but really enjoyed the monkeys. There’s an old staircase up the side of the cliff that you’re not meant to use (and angry monkeys guard the top) but other than that is pretty fun to explore.
We had a great morning here feeding the monkeys. I get the impression that if you weren’t careful they could bite but they were fine with us, they lost interest when we ran out of food! It was great to see them roam freely and not being forcibly harassed people! The temple was nice but we didn’t go in as there was a funeral service ongoing whilst we were there.
We really came here for the monekys. The monkeys came out to the left of the cave that you will see there at around 4:30pm. 20 baht per person to enter. At the same ticket counter you can buy food for the monkeys for 20 baht but I guess you can bring your own bananas for cheaper. There are lots of food/clothing vendors around. Not too far from khao sok town, its a manageable walk. Be cautious when feeding the monkeys, they usually fight over the food and are not scared of jumping on your shoulder.
Nicknamed the Monkey Temple, this site is very popular with tourists because many monkeys have taken up residence there. Not shy, they come to get the food that we give them. The on-site temple is not open to the public. The only real attraction is the monkeys that you can feed. These are crab-eating macaques (they live in groups and are noisy). There is an ice cream seller on site.
Stumbled upon this place after visiting the nearby elephant sanctuary. Very glad we did, lots of monkeys and their babies. 20baht entry fee with the option of purchasing a bag of Bananas for 70baht. be warned the bigger monkeys get first dibs on your bananas and will not leave you alone until they see an empty bag. However the lady there does have a slingshot in case they get too frisky. The temple is pretty but nothing special. The main highlight is the cave, you can go deep inside the cave to look at the bats (you will need a torch) there is also a metal staircase leading up the cliff to another part of the cave if you’re feeling adventurous. Definitely not for someone who is afraid of heights or into H&S.
Tuesday 23rd of January, a visit to this Temple was one of the stops on our Unseen Khao Sok Eco Tour.There were a number of features to be visited here. The first being the Buddha Cave, with it’s statue of Buddha, lake and various statues outside (reviewed separately on TripAdvisor).From there we made our way to a building with a blackened wall inside with a tall external chimney towards the rear of the building. We were not surprised to learn that this was the crematorium and currently still in use.It was outside this building that the monkeys were mostly congregating at the time of our visit. They were more interested in the food scattered on the ground than us touristsNearby there was also a large statue of a monkey, which the monkeys clambered over and swam in the pools in front of it. There were other statues dotted about the compound.The main purpose of our visit here was to see the Temple and this was the last port of call on our Tour.Although the massive building had not yet been completed we were still permitted to go inside. As it was incomplete visiting restrictions were relaxted a bit, however visitors did have to dress and behave accordingly.From the exterior it looked complete with it’s typical Thai traditional Wat (Temple) style roof with it’s finials and ornate carvings painted gold with a green background.The window frames with their red wooden shutters were also very ornately carved and embellished with gold paint.The interior was definitely incomplete with it’s bare plaster walls and minimal fixtures, fittings and religious items. There was a shrine with a large statue of Buddha, in the sitting position, draped in golden golden robes. It was surrounded by smaller statues and pictures of Monks.In the mountain above the Buddha Cave, There was a monkey trail here, we could see steps and railed pathway, our Guide informed us that the trail had not been used for many years and was no in disrepair and unsafe.All of the elements within the Temple compound combined to make an attraction definitely worh visiting.