Suwan Kuha Temple: What's so attractive about it and what to keep in mind when visiting
In the Phang Nga province bordering Phuket, there is a special Buddhist temple. Over the years of tourism, this location has become one of the most famous stops on land excursion routes. Tourists from all over the world know the temple under a variety of names, but the most common are Suwan Kuha (Wat Suwan Khuha), Monkey Mountain, and Cave Temple (Wat Tham).
The Abode of Monkeys
Wild monkeys can be found in the area around the temple and inside the cave. Animals can be fed with fruits or nuts, which are sold right there. The inhabitants of this place, not having been domesticated by humans, remain wild and protect their home, so it is necessary to take safety measures and not to provoke their aggression. In addition, animals can transmit a dangerous disease through a bite or saliva.
- Don't provoke primates
- Don't sit down next to them (this can provoke rivalry)
- Do not touch or pick up monkeys (especially babies)
- Do not conflict with animals, even over food or personal items.
- Don't push the macaque away if it climbs onto your shoulders - gently stand up or turn around, it will become uncomfortable and will jump off
- Keep children away from wild monkeys (the animals may perceive them as a threat and attack)
- Avoid smiling with bare teeth (in the animal world this is a signal of aggression)
If you are bitten, seek medical attention immediately. It is also worth checking ahead of time that animal attacks are covered by your insurance. If they are not, it is recommended to extend your insurance to avoid excessive expenses during your holiday.
After the Covid epidemic, the macaques did not multiply, but they became more independent. Every day, fewer monkeys meet people on the ground when visitors arrive. This has its advantages - now you can safely feed them without fear of attack. If you do not plan to contact the monkeys, just go to the temple and do not take food with you - macaques are attracted by the smell of food and rustling bags.
What is special about the temple?
When visiting the temple, the first thing that stands out is the entrance, which is marked by a blue arch. According to Buddhist canons, visitors should wear closed clothes in the temple, covering the shoulders and knees. If you have not brought such with you, you can rent suitable clothes at the entrance for an extra fee. At the entrance, you will also be asked to make a donation (it has become mandatory - 20 baht) or buy candles and fresh flowers.
It is not for nothing that the temple is called a cave temple: its premises are four completely different grottoes. In the first, large cave, tourists are greeted by a 15-meter-high Buddha statue. He lies in a relaxed pose surrounded by stupas of different sizes. These stupas keep the ashes of the former governor and his family members. In addition, there are also small statues of Buddha in the room. To the left of the large monument there is sometimes a monk who can tie a sai-sin (a rope on the wrist)
From the first room, you can climb up the stairs to the second, bright cave. On the right, it is open to the sun's rays and is flooded with light on fine days. There is also a statue here, not of Buddha, but of a hermit monk, one of those who came here to meditate long ago. Finally, a tourist can look at the royal seals here. They confirm that the Royal Family was present here.
Behind it opens a small dark cave, where bats live, which do not harm people at all and do not pay attention to them. But if you listen - you can hear their squeak. Unfortunately, traces of vandalism remained in the cave, and now near the fence of their "art" hangs a warning sign about fines in case of damage to the property of the temple.
The name of the fourth cave speaks for itself: it is completely covered with rocky growths - stalactites, stalagmites and stalagnates. You can climb up here by rocky steps carved right into the cliff. This natural creation looks beautiful.
How the Cave Temple Came to Be
The appearance of this place is noted in documents as early as the beginning of the 18th century. The grottoes attracted ascetics from neighboring monasteries - the monks considered the caves an inspiring place for meditation. Local residents also came here with gifts. Someone brought images of Buddha, and the grottoes turned into a sacred place. Power in this region belonged to relatives of the Royal dynasty, they founded their own temple within these walls - natural barriers helped to hide and defend themselves. The most valuable shrines began to be brought here. In 1850, Rama V (the Siamese ruler Majesty King Chulalongkorn, who built the first power plant in Thailand) visited this temple and left his imprint on the wall of the grotto. In the 20th century, researchers discovered artifacts of primitive tribes, the antiquity of which is estimated at 3,000 years.
How to get to Suwan Kuha Temple on your own
To get to Suwan Khuha, you will need your own or rented car . The route will be laid out by any map system or navigator (for example, Google Maps) by searching for "Wat Suwan Khuha".
You can enter the temple from 8:00 to 17:00 daily.
The entrance fee is 20 baht, which becomes a donation and is used to clean the area.
A visit to this temple is included in most land excursion programs . Unfortunately, guides are prohibited from conducting a tour inside the temple, but this gives the opportunity to independently explore it and take photographs.
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