Thailand is well known for the temples it offers. "Wat" means temple in Thai and this word is always placed in front of the name of the Buddhist temples. The Chinese temples (Tao religion) are usually called with a Thai/Chinese name without the word "wat" in front of their name.

Buddhist temples and Chinese shrines in south Thailand:

• Wat Chalong is the most famous and one of the biggest temple of Phuket, located 15 km south of Phuket City (previously Phuket Town).

• Wat Bang Riang is a beautiful temple located on the top of a hill between Phang Nga Town and Krabi, in the countyside near Tap Put (30 km after Phang Nga Town). It is surrounded by hills where a big Buddha with Naka (the 7 heads snake) and a statue of Kwan Him are facing it.

• In Koh Samui (Samui Island), located in the Golfe of Thailand, you will find the Big Buddha (north east of the island), which is a huge golden stature overlooking the sea.