Wat Simalai Songtham, rarely mentioned in guidebooks or on websites about Thailand, lies about twelve kilometers from the northern entrance of Khao Yai National Park, the most frequently used access point to this vast natural area. Built on a hilltop, it is a unique structure in Thailand that captivates even connoisseurs of Buddhist temples. Its architecture, rich in statues, paintings, and details that blend Buddhism, Hinduism, and animism, makes it an almost surreal, fairytale-like place. From here, there is also a magnificent panoramic view of the surrounding area. The temple was originally a monastery with a pavilion and a cave where monks practiced Dharma. The cave is still a popular place for this practice, but for curious tourists, the detour is especially worthwhile for the upper section. Between the gardens below and all the elements leading up to the top, one could spend hours admiring every detail of the decoration of this temple, which is still under construction. I couldn't verify it, but it seems there are illuminations at night that are also worth seeing.

Free entry. Open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. There is a shared taxi service that will take you to the top of the temple for 30 THB per person. However, I highly recommend making the climb on foot to discover all the features and levels. Otherwise, you will miss much of the charm of visiting Wat Simalai Songtham.

There is no public transport to reach Wat Simalai Songtham, neither from Nakhon Ratchasima city nor from Khao Yai Park. You will need your own vehicle to get there.

Wat Simalai Songtham is a temple, and when visiting a temple in Thailand there are some rules to follow: appropriate clothing (knees and shoulders should be covered), take off your shoes when entering the building, be quiet, do not hug or kiss, do not point your feet at the Buddha statue, do not smoke.

How to get there

How do I get to Wat Simalai Songtham? There is no public transport to Wat Simalai Songtham, neither from Nakhon Ratchasima nor from Khao Yai Park. You will need your own vehicle to get there.