Wat Plai Laem
Wat Plai Laem
4.5
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- Michelle W195 contributionsA must visit.An amazing site to see, friendly people. Please ensure you dress appropriately and respect where you are. We say some people not taking notice of this dress code and I found it uncomfortable as you are in someone else's country the least you can do is respect their traditionsVisited December 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 16 February 2024
- BalkrishnaShroffMumbai, India26,092 contributionsBeautiful Temple !!This beautiful Buddhist Temple complex is located next to another famoue attraction Big Buddha Temple. This comples is a mix of Chinese and Thai culture n architecture. There is one big 18 arms statue of Goddess Guanyin which is worshipped by Chinese. She is also popular as Fertility Goddess. The women pray to her for bearing health children. A little away from here is 20 meter tall statue of Buddha. Beside there are also statues of Hindu Gods like Vishnu, Shiva and Ganesh One can donate 10 Baht and buy the fish food to feed fishes in a beautiful pond surrounding the complex. There are also monks praying in the temple. The entire complex is very well maintained and the vibe all aroud is very calm and serene. A proper dress attire is expected here. Worth visiting...Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 2 March 2024
- Steve RBolton, United Kingdom562 contributionsSerene relaxing and thought provoking templeAnother beautiful Thai temple in Koh Samui. Very peaceful and inspiring place to visit and contemplate the world. Koi ponds and gardens are overlooked by giant buddha statues and pagodas.Visited February 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 5 March 2024
- Nick HSt Leonards-on-Sea, United Kingdom569 contributionsA must when in Koh SamuuSpectacular! Very colourful! A must when you're in Koh Samui. Beautiful, big Buddhist statues abound, along with colourful temples. Huge fish in the lake just waiting to go into a feeding frenzy when the tourists feed them! My friends and I knelt in front of Monk and received blessing and string-bracelets for which we gave a donation. All in all a very interesting place to visit with much of the Buddha's life depicted on the walls in beautiful colours. Thoroughly recommended.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 24 March 2024
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4.5
1,563 reviews
Excellent
923
Very good
525
Average
96
Poor
15
Terrible
4
Russ Lacuata
Long Beach, CA9,839 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
Wat Plai Laem is a living and active temple, where devotees come daily to pay homage to Guanyin and the Buddha. Surrounded by a lake adding to its feel of tranquility. It features a striking white 18 arm image of Guanyin, the goddess of Mercy and Compassion.
Written 23 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roslyn138
Wrexham, UK1,176 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
Very interesting temple area for various religions. The most impressive being the 18 armed goddess of mercy and compassion. There are decking area that allow you to take stunning photographs of the various buildings - and for 15baht you can buy pellets to feed the large fish in the lake.
As with all areas you need to be aware of what you need to wear and the paths around the area are uneven
We spent around 45 min and then moved on to Big Buddha which was only about 10 min away
As with all areas you need to be aware of what you need to wear and the paths around the area are uneven
We spent around 45 min and then moved on to Big Buddha which was only about 10 min away
Written 15 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lenka M.
16 contributions
Dec 2019
This temple, neigboring with a school, has very colourful buildings and two statues and a building situated on small islands on a nearby lake. Not many tourists there, a small shop with souvenirs and a small cafe. Definitely reccomended.
Written 28 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lauren A
Darlington, UK103 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
Found this place by chance and I’m so glad we did. This turned out (for me) the most impressive temple compound in Samui.
The temples/statues are set within a lake, its so well looked after with lots of bright colours. Theres so many other little things that you happen to see so many photo ops.
Its a mix of the different cultures so very interesting.
The fish is full of these big catfish, you can go and buy some food from the stall and feed them. Its fascinating how many come up to the top.
The temples/statues are set within a lake, its so well looked after with lots of bright colours. Theres so many other little things that you happen to see so many photo ops.
Its a mix of the different cultures so very interesting.
The fish is full of these big catfish, you can go and buy some food from the stall and feed them. Its fascinating how many come up to the top.
Written 2 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hans-Juergen K
Horgen, Switzerland26 contributions
Dec 2019
extremely interesting and calm. Thoroughly enjoy the visit and when we watching a local lady pray with one of the monks she invited us to join, what a gesture. The entire episode was very impressive for me and especially my younger granddaughter.
Written 20 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jlamkk
singapore816 contributions
Apr 2021
Awesome statue of 18 hands Guan Yin and Laughing Buddha.
The statues are beautiful and huge.
Go there in late afternoon when the sun will shine on the statue and project a very warm & golden colour.
The statues are beautiful and huge.
Go there in late afternoon when the sun will shine on the statue and project a very warm & golden colour.
Written 22 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheCount69
Rochdale, UK879 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
A complex of temples and statues, the most amazing being the Buddha with all the arms, theres quite a few and all are spectacular to look at. Set amongst water there are fish that you can feed if you buy some food.
Beautiful temples, beautiful buddhas and statues, donot miss on your visit to ko Samui
Beautiful temples, beautiful buddhas and statues, donot miss on your visit to ko Samui
Written 12 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dick Rogaar
Nootdorp, The Netherlands184 contributions
Feb 2023
This temple complex is a lust for the eye. The different, giant, buddha's ae really amazing. The middle temple has a golden statue of buddha and on the walls are painting, telling the story of buddha.
Written 12 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
froggytracee@gmail.com
Walla Walla, WA108 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
I spend about 6 weeks in Koh Samui every year and stay in an area that is fairly close to the beautiful Wat Plai Laem, so I visit the temple almost every day. This Wat area has three large temples, all situated on three different walkways over the water. There are no entrance fees. There are also other temple buildings on the land surrounding the entire complex. Sometimes a monk is sitting in an area close to the Laughing Buddha and he will give you a blessing in return for a small donation. Often, the Monk will wrap a woven bracelet around your left wrist at the end of the blessing. There are two areas where you can buy a small bucket of fish food for 10 Baht. There are a LOT of HUGE catfish and turtles swimming in the waters around the temples and it is fascinating to feed them. There are some tables and chairs situated in some shade under some trees that can be a nice place to get out of the sun. You must be sure that your shoulders are covered while visiting the temples (and the Monk). There is an area near the laughing Buddha where you can borrow a cover up in case you don't have one with you. There is usually someone selling some fruit and some basic food on a small cart near the area where the seating is. Well worth the visit.
It is also very close to the Big Buddha Temple so be sure to visit both temples! Wat Plai Laem in not commercialized so there are no shops to buy souvenirs where as at the Big Buddha Temple, there are many shops and a few food places. Wat Plai Laem is not as crowded as the Big Buddha Temple.
It is also very close to the Big Buddha Temple so be sure to visit both temples! Wat Plai Laem in not commercialized so there are no shops to buy souvenirs where as at the Big Buddha Temple, there are many shops and a few food places. Wat Plai Laem is not as crowded as the Big Buddha Temple.
Written 20 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Graham T
Winsford, UK148 contributions
Dec 2019
We visited the nearby Big Buddha and it was ruined with masses and masses of tourists and heavy traffic. We didn't enjoy that place so we came here instead and what a complete different experience. It was chilled out, relaxing and nice to visit the temple, feeding the huge Catfish and Carp in the water and enjoyed a cold drink relaxing in the shade. Worth the visit, parking is free and cold drinks as cheap as anywhere else.
We could have spent 3 or 4 hours here if it wasn't for us having plans for the afternoon.
We could have spent 3 or 4 hours here if it wasn't for us having plans for the afternoon.
Written 6 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bonjour, une tene particulière est elle exigée, un débardeur et un short sont ils acceptés ? Merci
Written 16 April 2019
Je parle du site en bord de plage mais si c'est le site avec les statues cela dépend de la longueur du shirt et du tee-shirt si on est une femme
Written 18 April 2019
Are you allowed to take photos?
Written 11 July 2018
how long would you need to see this attraction please ? we are on a day tour from a cruise ship. so trying to plan a private tour. want to see this and the wat plai laem... see the beach at Chaweng ( maybe have a foot massage? )
thank you
Written 10 March 2017
At this atraction you will spend around 30-60 minutes,it depends how much would you be into it.
Written 11 March 2017
Buonasera, è aperto tutto il giorno! Ne vale la pena visitarlo! Buone vacanze se andate!
Written 19 July 2016
Are there any dress restrictions or requirements?
Written 7 June 2016
It's always best to dress modestly according to Thai expectations when visiting a temple. Females can pack a sarong to put over shorts. Some temples have items available to purchase or borrow. It's considered rude in Thailand to have bare arms even outside the temples. I wouldn't wear any tops that don't at least have a cap sleeve or short sleeve. Thai people are so kind they may not say anything to you, but if you are showing your shoulders, belly, or lots of leg (outside of the beach area) it truly is offensive.
Written 11 June 2016
Bonjour,
Depuis quand ouddah a dix huit bras ????????????
Il s'agit de la déesse de la miséricorde !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Written 20 January 2016
Bonjour,
Est ce que vous pourriez me dire si la visite exige un droit d'entrée? Car je n'arrive pas a trouver l'info. Car j'ai vu également que Big Buddha était gratuit...
Merci d'avance
Cordialement
Written 25 December 2015
Naceam A
Los Angeles, California
Hi,
Are there lockers to store luggage or bags? And if so, how big are they? What are their dimensions?
Thank you
Written 24 December 2014
I would not expect to find lockers at any Temples, or even most venues, for storing luggage or bags. Leave at your hotel.
Written 23 September 2017
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