Wat Chalong – The Most Important Buddhist Temple in Phuket

The Temple located in Chalong ranks as the most important of the 29 Wats in Phuket and is dedicated to two highly venerable monks, Luang Pho Chaem (หลวงพ่อแช่ม) and Luang Pho Chuang (หลวงพ่อช่วง), who with their knowledge of herbal medicine helped the injured of a tin miners rebellion in 1876.  The Wat was built over a century ago and sees local coming everyday to pray and ask for Buddha’s help and guidance in their lives.  In addition, because of its beauty and serenity, many foreigners flock to the picturesque Temple and hopefully take away a better understanding of Buddhism.

Wat Chalong

As you can see the temple grounds consist of many halls that contain a variety of statues from the past.  Among them are Poh Than Jao Wat; Ta Khee-lek (grandpa Khee-lek), a famous local who won many lotteries after consulting the Poh Than Jao Wat statue; Luang Poh Cham, Luang Poh Chuang and Luang Poh Gleum, all ex-abbots of the temple.  It is traditional to paste small gold leaf squares on the statues of the three abbots in tribute or offering for good luck.

Dominating the temple is the Grand Pagoda, officially named Phramahathatchedi-Jomthaibarameepragat, contains a splinter of Lord Buddha’s bone and many pictures depicting scenes of his life, along with a vast variety of statues of Buddha many poses.  You will want to take your time exploring this cool, airy pagoda that seems to always be blessed with a cooling breeze.   The following pictures give you a small sense of the magnificence of this Pagoda and its interior.  There are even some shots taken from the upper balcony of the grounds below.
There an 'exhibition home' of Luang Poh Cham which features lifelike human-sized wax models of Luang Poh Cham, Luang Poh Chuang, Luang Poh Gleum, and Luang Pu Thuad along with antique Thai furniture, and Benjarong (Thai porcelain designed in five colours), while the famous 'magic' walking-stick of Luang Poh Cham is kept at the current Abbot's dwelling.  This is another building worth an extended visit to enjoy some quite mediation in cooling air-conditioning.

When first you visit Wat Chalong you maybe started by the sound of firecrackers, but do not be alarmed, this is a thanks from a local that has had their prayers answered.  And the sound is muted because the firecrackers are set off inside a large domed enclosure expressly built for this purpose.   An example maybe a man who is suffering from a incapacitating illness will go to the wat to pray for a return to good condition. Once he recovers, he will give thanks by lighting firecrackersat the Wat.

As I mentioned above there are many buildings within the growns of the wat and it is recommended that you explore each for its unique qualities.  The hall containing the statues of the three abbots is very interesting and you will see many Thai’s inside and outside making offerings and praying.  One practice is to shake a vase filled with numbered sticks until one of the sticks falls out, this is then your fortune.  Once the stick has fallen to the floor, you go to a cabinet around the corner to retrieve your fortune from the appropriate numbered bin.  You will need a Thai who can interpret your fortune since each is written in Thai.  Having done this in many Buddist temples I have visited both here and in Japan I know that you sometimes get fortunes that you would rather not see come true, but there is a solution for this, you will need to carefully fold the fortune into a strip and tie it to the appropriate tree outside.

Just outside this hall in front is a great photo spot with a large Elephant staute that seems very popular with tourists.

Of course before going to this hall you will want to stop at the store to purchase the proper offerings, usually flowers, incense and perhaps even the gold leaf to stick on the statues.  Fear not if you forgot to get cash, this is always the convenient ATM machine available. 

Although Wat Chalong is one of Phuket’s many tourist attractions and can get very busy during the middle of the day it is also a place of peace and serenity to be enjoyed by all who visit.  An important point to remember is that it is a very religious site in Buddhism and visit should dress appropriately, no bear shoulders or midriffs or short-shorts.  If you are looking for a beautiful site where you can find a place to reflect on the day, then Wat Chalong as with other Wats on the island may be just what the doctor ordered.

Reviews - Niall

 Phuket Photo shooting Workshop with Adriano Trapani

"I had a great time on location with Adriano shooting in Phuket. I would recommend his one on one tuition as his passion for photography is infectious! the support before and after the course has been very good, which is one less thing to worry about when planning your holiday/photography trip. 

Thanks again! 

Niall"

 Return to Reviews and Comments

Reviews - Sobia

"Dear Diego

It was real pleasure booking tours with you. All the tours were spectacular. Thank you for your services. I will spread the word for Easy Day among my friends and family.

And once again our apologies to Francesco for prolonged waiting.

God Bless you.

Regards

Sobia"

 Return to Reviews and Comments

Ao Nang - Krabi

Ao Nang, often confused with Krabi itself, is actually the vibrant tourist centre of Krabi Province and offers the quiet atmosphere of a small town, the charm and beauty of a beach location, all the modern comfort and the unquestioned friendliness that makes Thailand a special and unforgettable place.

The town has not a very large area, most services and hotels are situated along either the main beach road or on the short side streets and a30 minute walk is enough to get you from one end of the beach to the other.

In Ao Nang there is a wide range of accommodation, from simple traditional wooden bungalows to luxury 5 star spa resorts. Ao Nang is mostly a family and sports destination. Even if it's not is not characterized bya wild night life and young party travellers may quickly get bored, it still has a few relaxed bars and two nightclubs.

For this reason Ao Nang is considered by many people the ideal compromise between a pristine but boring destination and a fun but polluted one.

By road, Ao Nang is about 20 minutes from Krabi Town and Klong Muang Beach and a minute or two to Noppharat Thara Beach that hosts the pier where the ferries connecting with Phuket, Phi Phi, Koh Lanta and other main destinations are departing and arriving daily.

From Ao Nang is also quite comfortable to visit fantastic and unique places like Phang Nga Bay/ James Bond Island and have access to entertaining activities such as Rafting, Kayaking, Scuba Diving and Rock Climbing.

The main beach at Ao Nang is the primary departure point for boats to a number of places, including the nearby Railay (or Rai Leh) Beach which cannot be accessed by road because surrounded by impressive vertical cliffs, the so called “4 Islands”, Hong Islandand the world famous Phi Phi Island.

More about Krabi Ao Nang here:

• Ao Nang – the peaceful village in Krabi that people miss.

Reviews - Warwick

Hi Diego,

I just wanted to say thank you very much for everything you and your team did for Nim and I. Our stay in Phuket was great and you guys really helped make it special.

We got all the visa paperwork done and our translation and certifications were correct. Nim is having her medical soon and then it is just waiting. Meanwhile she has another 3 month tourist visa so will be coming out to Australia in the next couple of weeks
Once again a very big thank you

Cheers 

 

Warwick

 Return to Reviews and Comments

 

Reviews - Lemena

Lemena and family enjoyed a day in Phi Phi with our Phi Phi Premium Tour and a day discovering Phang Nga bay with Easy Day's Private Phang Nga Tour


"Dear Francesco/Diego,

Thanks for the tours. My family and I have enjoyed the trips organised by your tour company. We will definitely recommend your tours to friends and others who may inquire about trips to Phuket.

Best regards,

Lemena H."

 Return to Reviews and Comments

Phi Phi Island Premium Tour

Rasada Pier is the place where i'm started to do the Phi Phi Island Premium Tour in behalf of inspection. In the morning around 08.00am i met my customers and greeting them. Then we are get on to the ferry on the 3rd floor (Premium class). Inside is AC room and very kindly staffs who are served food and drinks for us. Anyway the customers can be go up to the top floor which is the most beautiful view to relax, sight seeing, take photos and do sun bathing.

It take time around 1.5 hrs from pier to Phi Phi Don. But on the way sea condition is not so good then we have to sightseeing at Maya Bay in the morning time otherwise we can't get there in the afternoon we took time here around 15 mins then we are directly to Phi Phi Don. When arrived there we have to take speed boat to get to Bamboo Island. Which is the wonderful place to relax on white sandy beach, snorkeling, takes photo and time for a snack as well.

We takes time here for 30 Mins then directly to Mosquitoes Island it located behind of Bamboo Island around 1km even it is a small island but when you snorkeling under sea its so beautiful coral reef and too many source of fishes.

Half an hours  from mosquito island for the journey to get back to "Lam Tong beach" for lunch. Here they have very delicious foods which the customers can be take care themself (buffet) and they also serve for vegetarian food as well.

After lunch the customers can take the leisure time to relax on the beach, swimming until the ferry come to pick up back to Phuket. we back to Phuket around 4.30 pm

Nathakorn (YU)- Easy Day Thailand