Wat Chalong
Built in 1837 Chalong Temple is one of the most famous temples in Phuket. Although the temple was renamed by Royal decree as Wat Chaitararam during the era of Luang Po Champ, a monk who helped the locals fight the Ang Yi rebellion during the reign of King Rama V, it is still commonly known by it's former name, Wat Chalong. The new Chedi was built to house a fragment of Buddha's bone (Phra Borom Sareerikatat) brought from Sri lanka in 1999 and consecrated in a ceremony held in 2002.
The temple is open to visitors and worshippers from 6am to 5pm daily.
Thanks to: http://pkt.onab.go.th
For a VDO tour: http://thailand.tv/watch/wat-chalong
Wat Koh Kaew
วัดเกาะแก้วพิสดาร ภูเก็ต
Koh Kaew (Buddha Island) Phuket, Thailand
Just as recently as 1987 Koh Kaew was a very simple island temple, however over the years devotees have been travelling to the temple on special Buddhists Festivals and their donations have helped to build the temple into something special. The original statue of Buddha can still be seen on arrival at the island and the Cheddhi remain relatively unchanged apart from a coat of paint.
Photos from 1987 and 2011
Photos from 1987
The temple is best know for it's 'Buddha's Footprint' which lies on a rock to the western side of the island. Due to large waves it has been difficult to reach during the monsoon season, however work has started on building a sala to act as a view point for safer viewing. As if 2011 the work remains unfinished.
The top photo shows the previous structure protecting the footprint, the photo below is a view of Nai Harn Beach as seen from the location of the footprint. As you will see the rocky headland is not easily reached.
The photo above shows building work in process for the new viewing sala.
To read more about other temples in Phuket visit my Phuket Blog
