Rating: 3.6/5 (5 votes)

Open Days: Open daily

Opening Hours: 06:00 – 18:00

 

Chao Pho Khao Lom Muak Shrine is one of the most famous and highly revered sacred places in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. This shrine is located at the foot of Khao Lom Muak, near Ao Manao, within the grounds of Wing 5 in Mueang District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. The site is not only a shrine where local people come to pay respect and pray for blessings, but also a place that reflects the faith, local legends, and long-standing history of the Prachuap Khiri Khan coastline.

 

For visitors traveling to Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, this shrine is considered one of the places people often stop to pay respect and ask for blessings. It is well known for its sacred reputation and for the many stories surrounding the spiritual power of Chao Pho Khao Lom Muak, who is believed to have protected the people of the area since ancient times. Many devotees believe that paying respect here brings auspiciousness in life, especially in matters of work, travel, safety, and success in one’s goals.

 

The atmosphere around Chao Pho Khao Lom Muak Shrine is peaceful and shaded. Because it is located at the foot of a mountain and not far from the sea, visitors who come to pay respect can experience both the calm of nature and the spiritual aura of the place at the same time. Many travelers stop by to worship Chao Pho before heading to Ao Manao or before beginning the Khao Lom Muak summit hike, which is one of the best-known activities in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.

 

Chao Pho Khao Lom Muak Shrine is also important as a place that clearly connects the spiritual beliefs of the local community with the natural landscape of the area. Khao Lom Muak is considered one of the most distinctive mountains in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. When viewed from the sea, its peak rises prominently along the coast, creating a beautiful landscape and a distinctive symbol of the province.

 

The story of Chao Pho Khao Lom Muak has been passed down through many generations. According to local legend, Chao Pho Khao Lom Muak was originally a Chinese man from the mainland who crossed the sea to Siam during the Ayutthaya period. He traveled by junk boat in search of a new life and settled in this land.

 

After arriving in the coastal area of what is now Prachuap Khiri Khan, this Chinese man lived among the local people and continuously performed good deeds for the community. He was compassionate, helped the poor, and contributed to maintaining peace and order in the area. Because of his kindness and generosity, he became deeply loved and respected by the local residents.

 

Throughout his life, this Chinese man devoted himself to helping others and bringing peace to the community until he passed away at the age of 97. After his death, local people believed that his spirit became a sacred presence that continued to protect the people of the area and remained at Khao Lom Muak.

 

Out of faith in this man, local residents joined together to build a shrine at the foot of Khao Lom Muak as a place to honor and remember his virtues. From that time on, the site became a shrine that local people deeply respected and referred to as “Chao Pho Khao Lom Muak.”

 

In addition to the local legend about this compassionate Chinese man, Chao Pho Khao Lom Muak is also associated with important events in Thai history, especially during World War II, when the area around Ao Manao and Khao Lom Muak was a strategically significant battlefield.

 

During World War II, the area around Khao Lom Muak and Ao Manao saw intense fighting. When Japanese forces entered the area and launched attacks, many local residents living nearby became frightened and came to seek the spiritual protection of Chao Pho Khao Lom Muak, asking for safety for their lives.

 

One story that people in Prachuap Khiri Khan still talk about today concerns an incident in which Japanese troops attempted to bomb the area near the shrine. However, all of the bombs reportedly fell into the sea in a remarkable and mysterious manner, leaving the shrine area undamaged.

 

This event led local people to believe that the spiritual power of Chao Pho Khao Lom Muak had protected the people of the area from the dangers of war. The story has continued to be told as a legend of the shrine’s sacred power and reflects the deep faith of the local community.

 

It is also said that some Japanese soldiers who witnessed this mysterious event developed respect and faith in Chao Pho Khao Lom Muak and later came to pay respect and ask forgiveness from the spirit after the war had ended.

 

Today, Chao Pho Khao Lom Muak Shrine remains a sacred place where people from Prachuap Khiri Khan and visitors from many other places continue to come and pray for blessings. Those who come to worship often bring offerings such as incense, candles, flowers, or hats as a form of respect.

 

Inside the shrine is a statue of Chao Pho Khao Lom Muak dressed in Chinese attire, symbolizing the man from the legend whom local people continue to honor. One of the most striking features is the large number of hats offered by devotees, which has become a distinctive characteristic of this shrine.

 

The area around the shrine is peaceful and surrounded by nature, allowing visitors to spend time resting their minds and enjoying the calm atmosphere of the place. Many who visit say that Chao Pho Khao Lom Muak Shrine gives both a sense of serenity and sacredness at the same time.

 

The name “Khao Lom Muak” also has an interesting origin. It comes from the shape of the mountain, which resembles a Chinese hat. When viewed from the sea, the mountain peak rises prominently, while other surrounding hills appear to encircle it, creating the appearance of a mountain surrounding a hat. This is how the memorable name Khao Lom Muak came into use and continues to be known today.

 

Getting There if starting from the Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Hall, drive along the beach road heading south into the Wing 5 area. Once inside Wing 5, continue straight for about 500 meters until you see the entrance to Chao Pho Khao Lom Muak Shrine on the left-hand side. Then drive on for about another 1 kilometer to reach the shrine located at the foot of Khao Lom Muak. Visitors entering the area should prepare their national ID card in order to exchange it for a pass to enter the Wing 5 grounds.

 

 

A: It is located at the foot of Khao Lom Muak within the Wing 5 area near Ao Manao in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.

 

A: People commonly pray for safety, successful travel, career success, and general auspiciousness in life.

 

A: There is a local story that bombs dropped near the shrine all fell into the sea, leading people to believe that the spiritual power of Chao Pho protected the area.

 

A: It is open for worship every day from 06:00 to 18:00.

 

A: Because the shrine is located within the Wing 5 area, visitors should prepare their national ID card in order to exchange it for an entry pass.