Wat Koh Sireh

Wat Koh Sireh (Wat Si Rea) on Koh Sirey:

If there is any truth in the expression “the journey is the reward”, it definitely applies when you pay a visit to the beautiful Wat Koh Sireh (Wat Si Rea) on Koh Sirey (Koh meaning island): you need first to cross the bridge and get to the docks on the other side; you then have to walk across the fishermen village and the Rassada Ferry Terminal, from where the tourist boats leave for day trips to Phi Phi Island, Krabi and more; and finally turn right once you get to the T-junction, from where you should be able to see the entrance to the monastery compound behind the school, just a few hundred meters down the road.

Sirey is mainly a fishing and boat building area. It is also the home for the Moken Sea Gypsies at the Laem Tukkae Village on Koh Sirey. The Chao Ley (People of the Sea) or Chao Nam (People of the Water) refer to themselves as Moken. A name which is used for all Austronesian-speaking tribes. The Malay language seems to give the 20sqm island its name Sirey which means Beetle Leave. In Thailand, acculturated Moken are also called Thai Mai (new Thais).

On Phuket Island there are three settlements of the Chao Ley People. The oldest one is in Rawai; the second one is 8 km north of Phuket Town at Saphan Hin, home of the amazing Kiew Tien Keng Shrine; and the third, Wat Si Rea happens to be located on Siray Island. Until now they are still living as fishermen, working as pearl divers or collecting bird eggs which are a delicacy for soup. The daily tourists visiting their villages provides also a good source of income.

If you take a right here, several hundred meters down the road on the right-hand side you will see an ornamental gateway leading into the grounds of a monastery. The first Wat you pass is not the goal of this trip. Following the winding road up the hill, you can park and climb up the staircases leading up to a breathtaking view and what looks like a miniature version of the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda (or as it is called in English: The Golden Rock in Myanmar). Opposite the Golden Rock is a small temple housing a quiet Big Reclining Buddha, the image of the Tuesday Buddha like the one in Wat Srisoonthorn.

Here some comments from travelers who visited Wat Koh Sireh (Wat Si Rea):

Jacek Kleska
March 2017, review on Google
“Interesting place to see, different than other temples at Phuket, Temple is on the hill of small island Koh Sire and road to island is very easy by bridge from Phuket Town. Around temple you can see typical Thailand graves with photos. Temple have small view point from where you can see around this small but beautiful island. If you have free time I’d recommend you to see it…”

Willy Thuan
December 2016, reviewed on Google
“Quiet and remote with a bit of a panoramic view around the island of Sirey”

Pryangka Rao Batumalay
April 2016, reviewed on Google
“Definitely a gem on the island. The temple closes at 4pm if you plan on seeing the sleeping Buddha”