Wat Khao Sukim

Wat Khao Sukim, located in Moo 12, Khao Bai Sri Subdistrict, Tha Mai District, Chanthaburi Province, is a prominent meditation temple and a popular tourist destination, attracting both practitioners of meditation and the general public. The temple boasts a long history, blending local legends, spiritual beliefs, and the community’s faith.

 

According to Mr. Khao Homnam, a local resident, before the temple was named Wat Khao Sukim, villagers in the Khao Sukim area often saw shimmering lights appear on the mountaintop, especially on the 8th and 15th lunar days. The light was said to resemble a sparkling Naga serpent. Around that time, a wandering monk settled in a temporary shelter at Ban Noen Din Daeng. Finding the area peaceful, he established a small meditation retreat around 1957 (B.E. 2500).

 

Later, generous villagers brought offerings of food and rice to the monk and shared stories about the mysterious light on Khao Sukim. Soon afterward, the monk explored the mountain and recognized it as a sacred site. With the support of laypeople, including Mr. Khao, Mr. Ma, and Mr. Sanga, a new retreat was constructed on Khao Sukim. After its completion, the monk relocated from Noen Din Daeng to reside on the mountain.

 

Local accounts suggest that the monk, using his spiritual insight, perceived that Khao Sukim held immense treasures such as gold, diamonds, and precious gems. The mountain spirits manifested these treasures as Naga-shaped beams of light to protect them from harm or theft. Only those with merit or strong spiritual insight could witness this Naga light.

 

From these events, the retreat on Khao Sukim developed into Wat Khao Sukim. The founding monk was Phra Ajahn Somchai Thitaviriya, who expanded the hermitage into a fully established temple over the years.

 

The official establishment of Wat Khao Sukim began in 1966 (B.E. 2509) when Lieutenant Colonel Sonit, along with Khunying Pranom Boonrakun and Khun Rattana Ekkrapanich, donated 6 rai and 50 square wah of land for the temple’s construction. The local community contributed through various means, such as funding the building of small meditation halls to replace temporary structures, and supporting other facilities for monks, novices, and meditation practitioners. Eventually, the small meditation halls were developed into permanent two-story structures with 25-step walking meditation corridors on both floors.

 

Over nearly three decades (1964–2000, B.E. 2507–2543), Phra Ajahn Somchai Thitaviriya transformed Khao Sukim from dense forest into a serene temple, serving as a meditation center for monks, novices, and interested practitioners, as well as an educational and cultural site for both Thai and international visitors.

 

Wat Khao Sukim has grown gradually and steadily. All religious buildings, structures, and objects arose from the merit and faith of Phra Ajahn Somchai Thitaviriya, supported by the devotion and donations of the community, which were vital to the temple’s development.

 

Today, Wat Khao Sukim spans 3,280 rai. After donating parts of the land to Wat Khao Sukim Secondary School (50 rai) and Wat Khao Sukim Hospital (14 rai), the temple remains well-known among meditation practitioners and the public as a sacred and significant site in Chanthaburi Province.

 

Wat Khao Sukim has had three abbots: Phra Athikarn Kamphan Siripanyo (1965–1974, B.E. 2508–2517), Phra Athikarn Kamphan Komphiriyano (1974–1983, B.E. 2517–2526), and Phra Yan Wilas (Boon Siripanyo), who has served since 1983 (B.E. 2526) to the present.

 

Travel Information The temple is approximately 20 kilometers from Chanthaburi city and can be reached via multiple routes. From Sukhumvit Road at kilometer 305 near Ban Huai Sathorn, there is a turn onto Highway 3322 leading 13 kilometers to the temple. Another access route is from Ban Noen Sung, which is 16 kilometers to the temple, or via the route to Krating Waterfall, turning from Sukhumvit Road at the Khao Rai Ya Intersection for 7 kilometers, then left for another 10 kilometers.