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Wat Khunaram, Koh Samui

The white and gold ordination hall of Wat Khunaram with naga staircase railings under a blue sky, Koh Samui
Photo: Roma Neus, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

The essentials in 10 seconds

Entry
Free; donations welcome
Hours
Daily, during the day
Time on site
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes.
20 min
With kids
Better without small kids
Shrine
The body of the monk Luang Pho Daeng in meditation
Meaning
A reminder of impermanence — at the monk's own wish
Dress
Shoulders and knees covered; keep your voice down
Na Muang waterfalls
≈ 2 km, 3 minutes
From Chaweng
≈ 17 km, about 25 minutes
Coordinates
9.44978, 100.00065YesGo MapGoogleApple

Key facts

1973the year Luang Pho Daeng passed away
Sourceen.wikipedia
His wishthe monk himself asked for his body to be displayed
Sourceen.wikipedia
Impermanencethe point — a reminder of how brief life is
Sourceen.wikipedia
Meditationthe body sits in the posture the monk meditated in
Sourcetravel guides
Route 4169the temple is on the ring road between Na Muang and Hua Thanon
Sourceen.wikipedia
6 kmwest of Lamai Beach
Sourceen.wikipedia
≈ 2 kmto the Na Muang waterfalls
SourceOSRM
0 bahtto get in
Sourcetravel guides

What is Wat Khunaram?

Wat Khunaram is a working Buddhist temple in southern Samui, on ring road 4169 between Na Muang and Hua Thanon, about 6 km west of Lamai. It's known for a shrine most temples don't have: the body of the revered monk Luang Pho Daeng.

Luang Pho Daeng passed away in 1973. He asked for his body to be put on display as a reminder of life's impermanence — one of Buddhism's central ideas. The body sits in meditation in a glass pavilion, and Thais come here not to sightsee but to pay respects to a teacher.

How the temple works

The grounds are small: a white-and-gold main hall with naga railings, the shrine pavilion and the monks' buildings. Entry is free, with donation boxes; locals leave flowers and incense at the pavilion.

The temple is often visited on the way to the Na Muang waterfalls — the turn-off is just a couple of kilometres away. Mornings are quieter; island tour groups stop by during the day.

What to see

  • The pavilion with Luang Pho Daeng's shrine.
  • The main hall with white walls and gold trim.
  • Naga staircases — serpent guardians.
  • Offerings — flowers and incense at the pavilion.
  • The quiet courtyard with its trees.
  • The Na Muang waterfalls — 2 km away.

How to get to Wat Khunaram

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on footdestinationStreet view

Where are you starting from?

We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.

On foot

More tips

  1. From Chaweng — ≈ 17 km south and west on ring road 4169, about 25 minutes.
  2. From Lamai — ≈ 6 km west, about 10 minutes.
  3. From the Na Muang waterfalls — ≈ 2 km, 3 minutes.
  4. From the airport — ≈ 22 km, about 30 minutes.
  5. By songthaew — the blue shared trucks on the ring road; ask to stop at Wat Khunaram.

Wat Khunaram or the Red Temple

Wat Khunaramyou are hereThe monk's shrineQuiet, reflective15–20 minutesFree
Red TempleCarving in red clayPhotogenic20–30 minutesFree

How long do you need?

Allow 15–20 minutes for Wat Khunaram. It fits neatly into a loop of the south: the Na Muang waterfalls in the morning, then Wat Khunaram, the Red Temple (about 4 km) and the Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks.

The whole loop takes half a day. If you're on a scooter, keep clothes that cover shoulders and knees in your bag — you'll need them at both temples.

Is Wat Khunaram worth visiting?

Yes, if living Buddhist tradition interests you: it's a rare place where the idea of impermanence is shown so directly, and it's on the way to the waterfalls.

The YesGo take: the shrine may unsettle sensitive visitors and children — decide in advance whether you're ready. Treat it as a temple, not a curiosity.

Before you go: checklist

Ready: 0 of 5

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Temples of Koh Samui: compare and choose

Temples and shrines on Koh Samui rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.

Big Buddha4445 minFree15.0 km
Wat Plai Laem4440 minFree15.4 km
Wat Khunaram (Mummified Monk)you are here3020 minFree—
Red Temple (Wat Sila Ngu)3030 minFree3.3 km

Southern Samui in half a day

The Na Muang waterfalls in the morning, then Wat Khunaram, the Red Temple and the Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.

  1. Na Muang Waterfalls1 h 30 min · Na Muang 1 free; Na Muang 2 ≈ 30–50 baht
  2. 27 min walk from the previous stopWat Khunaram (Mummified Monk)you are here20 min · free
  3. 58 min walk from the previous stopRed Temple (Wat Sila Ngu)30 min · free
  4. 16 min walk from the previous stopHin Ta and Hin Yai (Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks)30 min · free

4 places · about 4 h 31 min with walks · 101 min on foot in total

Go · my route

Nearby — add to your day

Na Muang Waterfalls

Koh Samui, Thailand

1 h 30 min · Na Muang 1 free; Na Muang 2 ≈ 30–50 baht · 27 min walk

How to do it right

  • No flash at the pavilion.
  • Keep temple clothes in your bag.
  • Prepare children in advance.
  • Combine it with the Na Muang waterfalls.
  • Nearby: the Na Muang waterfalls, 2 km.

Questions

How much does Wat Khunaram cost?

Entry is free; donations are welcome.

Who was Luang Pho Daeng?

A revered monk of the temple who passed away in 1973.

Why is his body on display?

It was his own wish — as a reminder of life's impermanence.

Can you take photos?

Usually yes, but without flash and with respect.

What should I wear?

Cover shoulders and knees.

Where is the temple?

On ring road 4169, 2 km from the Na Muang waterfalls.

How long do you need?

15–20 minutes.

Is it suitable for children?

Your call: explain it in advance to sensitive children.

Have you been? Was it worth your time?

1 — no, 5 — absolutely

Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.

Sources and fact-check

  • English Wikipedia: Wat Khunaram — monk, year, wish, location
  • Travel guides — entry, behaviour, photography (unofficial)
  • Wikidata Q15908032 — coordinates; OSRM — road distances
  • YesGo general facts for Thailand — payment, transport
YesGo editorial team · facts checked 08.11.2026 ·
How we checkedThere's no official website. The monk's name, year, his wish and the temple's location are from Wikipedia. Guides say entry is free; hours vary between sources, so we say 'during the day'. We present the shrine calmly and respectfully, without graphic description. The mention of Wat Samret is from guides. Distances are from OSRM: 16.6 km from Chaweng, 21.7 km from the airport, 1.9 km to the Na Muang waterfalls, 4.2 km to the Red Temple.

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