Am Bang Niew Temple in Phuket – history, architecture, and how to visit
Am Bang Neow is one of Phuket's oldest Chinese temples, located in Phuket Town. The shrine is also known as Bang Neow Shrine, Bang Niew Shrine, Tao Bo Keng Shrine, and Theprasi Foundation Shrine.
Unlike the island's major tourist attractions, Am Bang Neow remains primarily an active religious site. Locals come here to pray, make offerings, and participate in traditional ceremonies.
The temple is particularly interesting for travelers who want to explore Phuket's Chinese cultural heritage and see a side of the island that cannot be understood by spending an entire vacation solely on the beaches.
Where is Am Bang Neow located?
Am Bang Neow is located in Phuket Town, on Phuket Road, near the Bang Neow intersection. The temple is situated close to the Saphan Hin area and just a few minutes' drive from Phuket Old Town's historic center.
The shrine is easy to find: the main landmark is a large decorative dragon-shaped arch at the entrance. Thanks to its location in the urban part of the island, a visit to Am Bang Neow can be conveniently combined with a walk through Old Town and other attractions in Phuket Town.
History of Am Bang Neow Temple
The history of Am Bang Neow begins in 1904. Originally, the shrine was located in the area of modern Soi Romanee street in Phuket Old Town. After several fires, the temple was moved from place to place until it arrived at its current location in the Bang Neow area.
The temple's history is closely intertwined with Phuket's Chinese community. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Chinese immigrants played a huge role in the island's development, especially in trade and the tin industry. Along with them, Chinese religious and cultural traditions strengthened in Phuket.
According to Prince of Songkla University, the original history of the shrine is connected with a Chinese opera troupe that came to Phuket for performances and brought with them the revered deity Tian Hu Yuan Shuai, known to locals as Lao Ya. It was around this cult that the community associated with the future Am Bang Neow temple subsequently formed.
In 1958, the Theprasi Shrine Foundation was established, under whose management the shrine remains to this day. Throughout its history, the temple has been renovated numerous times, while maintaining its significance as one of Phuket's important Chinese religious centers.
Why Am Bang Neow is called a Chinese temple
Am Bang Neow differs from most Thai Buddhist temples familiar to tourists. This is a Chinese shrine, shaped by the traditions of Phuket's Chinese community.