Wat Sri Sunthon

Wat Sri Sunthon or Wat Sri Sunthorn or Wat Srisoonthorn:

Wat Sri Sunthon, known by the locals as Wat Lipon, is a temple in Thalang, north of Phuket Town, which was built in 1792. The first impression on entering the grounds is of the 29 meters Sleeping Buddha on top of the Wat central building, so large that he is noticeable from the road outside.

Of all the approximately 40 temples on the island, there are three of them which have a Buddha statue that would be considered as “Big Buddhas” … the first being the Big Buddha of Chalong, then the Sitting Buddha in Phuket Town and of course the Reclining Buddha of Sri Sunthon!

He literally seems to be reclining on the left side of the road leading to the international airport, with its entrance just behind the Caltex gas station. Once you make your way behind the station and arrive in the parking lot you are welcomed by nine smaller Buddha statues and there, stretched out in his full 29 meters length, is the Wat Sri Sunthon Reclining Buddha. Depicting the Sleeping Buddha, linked with the second day of the week, Tuesday, it holds significance for those who are born on this day of the week and they come here to pray or just wander around to seek some quiet moments.

As the story goes a giant by the name of Asurindarahu, seeing the Buddha, did not want to bow before him … being giant and all … so Buddha presented himself while lying down, because he was much larger than the giant. He showed him the realm of heavens with heavenly figures all larger than the giant. Seeing this and becoming aware of what Buddha had shown him; the giant felt chastened, made his obeisance and left humbled and wiser.

On the way to the airport, there is the equally significant and rather unusual Wat Phra Tong, which we also recommend you pay a visit to.