Wat Sri Sunthon (Wat Lipon) is a Buddhist temple in Thalang, about 14.5 km north of Phuket Town. Upon entering the temple grounds, one of the first things you will see is the 29-meter-high sculpture of the sleeping Buddha that occupies the top of the central wat building. There are also nine smaller Buddha images in different positions, all facing the entrance as if welcoming you to this sacred place of worship.
Wat Sri Suthon Temple in Phuket is known for its majestic reclining statue of the golden Buddha, which is best viewed before entering the temple through the surrounding trees. The Buddha is believed to be in the Pang Sai Yat posture or performing the Nirvana posture. The temple grounds are also home to many exciting and eccentric statues of pink elephants and the legendary Pret, or demon spirit as it is commonly known. Less crowded, Wat Sri Sunthon is a perfect spot if you are in a meditative mood. Located on the left, just down the road from Phuket International Airport, this temple is easy to spot and is one kilometer from the Heroin Monument.
The temple has a sermon room, an ordination room, a sanctuary room, and a bell tower. The stairs on the right side of the temple will take you to the Reclining Buddha on the roof, where you can walk around the giant statue and take some photos!
Wat Sri Sunthon’s highlights
Depictions of the Buddha in a sleeping position are considered very important by devotees as they depict Lord Buddha in the dreaming phase. Hoping to discover the truth about life), the Buddha had a dream that made him realize that he had reached the stage of enlightenment. Looking around the temple, you will notice some non-Buddha images, including a giant and lions from Thai myths. They are believed to act as the guardians of the temple. Other exciting photos include the pets (spirits from Thai tales), slender creatures the size of a palm tree with a mouth the size of a pin.
Some Thai people believe that if one does bad things, especially hitting one’s parents or cheating on one’s spouse, the person will end up as a ghost in the afterlife. This is why many temples have this spirit image, to remind people to be kind to their parents and spouses, among other things. A point of interest at Wat Sri Sunthon is a small clock tower that you can climb to see the temple from a great height. There is an electronic fortune-telling machine where you can insert a coin and ask questions to see the result.
Good to know about Wat Sri Sunthon
Wat Lipon was built in 1792 and covered approximately 3.52 hectares of land. Later, King Rama I called it Wat Sri Sunthon. The main ubosot (temple hall) is very simple in style, with only one whole wall. The entire property is tranquil and peaceful, attracting those seeking a place to meditate.
Like many temples in Thailand, many dogs and cats live in the temple. They are relatively shy around strangers, and they are best left alone when exploring the terrain. You will find Wat Sri Sunthon about 5 km north of the Phuket Heroine Monument. The temple is on the left side of Thepkasathri Road.
