Wat Luang Pu Supha (Wat Silasupharam)

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.00 – 17.00

 

Wat Luang Pu Supha, officially known as Wat Siri Sila Supharam, is a revered Buddhist temple in Chalong, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket. The temple is closely associated with Phra Mongkol Wisut, widely known as Luang Pu Supha Kantasilo, one of Thailand’s highly respected meditation monks and spiritual teachers. For travelers who want to experience Phuket beyond beaches, this temple offers a calm and meaningful visit with beautiful Buddhist architecture, a quiet atmosphere, and a strong connection to local faith.

 

The temple is located on Chaofa West Road, close to Wat Chalong and the route toward the Big Buddha on Nakkerd Hill. This makes Wat Luang Pu Supha a practical and rewarding stop on a cultural route in southern Phuket. Visitors can begin with Wat Luang Pu Supha, continue to Wat Chalong, and then travel onward to the Big Buddha Phuket within the same day. The route is suitable for merit-making, temple photography, cultural travel, and a deeper understanding of Phuket’s Buddhist heritage.

 

Wat Luang Pu Supha is not only a tourist attraction. It is a working temple created from deep devotion to Luang Pu Supha. The grounds are spacious, peaceful, and more local in feeling than many crowded tourist sites. Within the temple are a beautiful ordination hall set above water, a striking white round-shaped building on higher ground, a museum-like area dedicated to Luang Pu Supha, and spaces for worship, reflection, and meditation. Visitors who come during weekdays often find the temple especially quiet and suitable for a slow visit.

 

Luang Pu Supha Kantasilo, or Phra Mongkol Wisut, was born on 17 September 1895 in Waritchaphum District, Sakon Nakhon Province. He entered the Buddhist monastic path at a very young age and was ordained as a novice monk at the age of nine. In 1916, he was fully ordained as a monk and received the monastic name Kantasilo. His spiritual education connected him with several important Thai meditation masters, including Phra Ajahn Sitthat of Wat Tha Uthen in Nakhon Phanom, Luang Pu Suk of Wat Pak Khlong Makham Thao in Chai Nat, and Phra Ajahn Mun Bhuridatto, one of the most influential masters of the Thai forest tradition.

 

Luang Pu Supha’s life was shaped by long years of pilgrimage, meditation practice, and service to Buddhist communities. He traveled widely throughout Thailand and neighboring countries, spending much of his life as a wandering monk. Wherever he stayed, he often contributed to the establishment of temples, monasteries, or Buddhist structures for the benefit of local people. Because of this, his disciples were not limited to Phuket or Thailand; many followers also came from countries such as Singapore and Malaysia.

 

Before Wat Siri Sila Supharam was established in Chalong, Luang Pu Supha had already been closely connected with Phuket through other temples and religious works. Later, land in Chalong was offered by devotees, and he established a new temple there. The temple received the royal name Wat Siri Sila Supharam, while local people and visitors commonly call it Wat Luang Pu Supha or Wat Mai Luang Pu Supha. These names reflect the strong public devotion to the monk whose life and teachings remain central to the temple’s identity.

 

The most visually memorable part of the temple is the ordination hall built over water. The white structure, orange-red roof, and golden decorative details reflect beautifully on the pond below, creating one of the temple’s most photogenic scenes. The architecture feels elegant without being overwhelming, and the surrounding space gives visitors enough room to walk, observe, and take photographs respectfully.

 

Another distinctive feature is the white round-shaped building on higher ground. Its form is different from most ordinary temple buildings in Phuket and gives Wat Luang Pu Supha a unique architectural identity. From this area, visitors can enjoy a quieter view of the temple grounds and the surrounding hillside atmosphere of Chalong. This part of the temple is especially appealing to those who appreciate Buddhist architecture and peaceful places away from the busiest tourist routes.

 

The area dedicated to Luang Pu Supha’s life is one of the most meaningful parts of the visit. It includes a statue or image of the monk and displays connected to his biography and legacy. For travelers interested in Thai Buddhism, this space helps explain why so many people continue to respect him. It also gives the temple greater depth than a simple sightseeing stop, turning the visit into a chance to learn about a monk who devoted his life to meditation, pilgrimage, teaching, and building religious places.

 

Luang Pu Supha is also remembered by many devotees for sacred objects and protective charms associated with his name, especially the Maha Lap spider charm, which is connected in popular belief with prosperity and good fortune in trade. Another well-known object in stories about him is the magical crocodile charm, associated with protection. Visitors should approach these beliefs respectfully as part of local religious culture. The temple’s deeper value, however, lies in Luang Pu Supha’s discipline, compassion, and contribution to Buddhist communities.

 

The temple is a good choice for travelers who want a quieter Buddhist site near Phuket Town and Chalong. It is less crowded than some of Phuket’s better-known attractions, yet it is close enough to major landmarks to be included in an easy half-day route. Visitors can combine it with Wat Chalong, Phuket Botanic Garden, Phuket Bird Park, Big Bee Farm Phuket, or the Big Buddha Phuket depending on available time.

 

Morning and late afternoon are the best times to visit because the light is softer and the weather is more comfortable. A visit of about one hour is enough for most travelers to pay respect, walk around the temple grounds, view the ordination hall, and spend time at the Luang Pu Supha memorial area. Visitors interested in photography or meditation may want to stay longer.

 

As with all Buddhist temples in Thailand, respectful dress and behavior are important. Shoulders should be covered, and shorts or skirts should be modest. Shoes should be removed before entering sacred buildings. Visitors should speak quietly, avoid touching sacred objects unnecessarily, and take photographs only in appropriate areas. The temple is a place of worship first, so quiet and respectful conduct will make the visit more meaningful.

 

Getting There is straightforward by private car, rental car, taxi, or local transport. From Phuket Town, take Chaofa West Road toward Chalong. The temple is on the right-hand side before Chalong Circle and near Wat Chalong. The distance from Phuket Town is about 7 km, depending on the starting point and traffic. Chaofa West Road can be busy during morning and evening travel periods, so visitors should allow extra time if combining the temple with other attractions.

 

Overall, Wat Luang Pu Supha is one of the most meaningful temple stops in Phuket for those who want faith, biography, architecture, and a quiet atmosphere in one place. It offers a strong connection to Luang Pu Supha Kantasilo, a respected monk who lived a long life of practice and service, while also giving visitors a practical cultural stop near Wat Chalong and the Big Buddha route. For Thai visitors and international travelers alike, the temple provides a calm and respectful way to experience Phuket’s Buddhist side.

 

 

A: Wat Luang Pu Supha, officially Wat Siri Sila Supharam, is located in Chalong, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket. It is on Chaofa West Road near Wat Chalong.

 

A: The temple is known for its connection to Luang Pu Supha Kantasilo, its ordination hall over water, white round-shaped building, peaceful grounds, and memorial area dedicated to the monk’s life.

 

A: The temple is open daily from 08.00 to 17.00.

 

A: There is no admission fee. Visitors may make a donation if they wish to support the temple.

 

A: Luang Pu Supha Kantasilo, also known as Phra Mongkol Wisut, was a respected Thai meditation monk and spiritual teacher. He was born in Sakon Nakhon, ordained at a young age, traveled widely as a forest monk, and contributed to many Buddhist communities.

 

A: Take Chaofa West Road toward Chalong. The temple is located before Chalong Circle and close to Wat Chalong. Travel by private car, rental car, taxi, or local transport is convenient.

 

A: Nearby attractions include Wat Chalong, Big Buddha Phuket, Phuket Botanic Garden, Phuket Bird Park, Big Bee Farm Phuket, and Thalang Maneekram.

 

A: Yes. The temple is suitable for families, cultural travelers, and anyone interested in Thai Buddhism, but visitors should dress respectfully and behave quietly within the temple grounds.