Wat Thep Kasattri

Wat Thep Kasattri is a Theravada Buddhist Temple also called ‘Wat Ban Don’ by the local Thai people. This temple is located along Thailand Highway 4030 in Thalang, just south of the Phuket International Airport and east of the Laguna Beach Resort. The temple sits almost at the center of Phuket Island, from east to west.

A visitor to this temple, first erected in the 15th century, can expect to see many resident monks, magi (women nuns) and laypersons wondering around the premise, as well as a lot of stray dogs and chickens. There you will witness the monks in various meditating positions and sometimes singing their prayers. Funeral services, where they incinerate the body of the deceased person on the funeral pyre, are also intermittently held on the ground. There are numerous displays of Buddha images and statues made of different materials (gold, jade, iron, stainless steel, brass and bronze) in various poses. As anyone can feel free to walk around just about any temple in Thailand, it’s always worth to stop by and take some photos for your scrapbook back home.

There are Buddhist amulets for sale, including Sothorn Buddha, Jinnaraj Buddha, Luang Phor Tuad, Kwan Yin, Ganesha and many other monks and Buddhist religious figures. Amulets are sold either alone or in cases. There are also necklaces, bracelets and ornaments to hang from your rear view mirror in your vehicle, as Thais believe these blessed ornaments will provide protection while driving.

Even if you don’t buy anything, you might consider offering a donation. So many tourists visit temple after temple and don’t even think of giving a little something. Remember that even a hundred Thai Baht can help a lot in Thailand as it is enough for a few simple meals.

* On Google, 16 reviewers gave Wat Thep Kasattri a 4.6 out of 5-star rating, which is quite high marks.