This temple, dating back to the Ayutthaya period, was later elevated to a royal temple and is the only one of its kind in the province. Wat Tham Khuha Sawan is the most important temple in Phatthalung. It is particularly famous for the cave at the rear, which contains several Buddha statues, including a reclining Buddha and several seated figures. The initials of kings and members of the Thai royal family who visited the temple can be found on the walls near the cave entrance. The temple itself is also worth seeing, although the ordination hall is not always open. An old chedi stands on the small hill Khao Khuha Sawan. From there, there is an impressive view over Phatthalung, which I didn't climb. It wasn't the few monkeys that live there that deterred me, but rather five very unfriendly dogs that blocked my way. A pity, but such things happen in Thailand. Normally, the monks come to calm the animals, but not this time. If you're lucky, the climb is definitely worth it in my opinion.

Free admission. Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The temple can be easily reached on foot; it is about a ten-minute walk from Phatthalung train station.

Wat Tham Khuha Sawan 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 you get to Wat Tham Khuha Sawan? The temple is easily accessible on foot; it is located about a ten-minute walk from Phatthalung train station.