Wat Phra Thong: the temple of the half-buried Buddha

Updated on October 19, 2026

Wat Phra Thong, in Thalang, houses a golden Buddha buried in the ground: only the head and upper chest emerge. It is one of the most unusual temples on Phuket, and one of the most visited in the north of the island, far from the beach crowds. Entry is free, the visit is short (half an hour is enough), and it combines easily with the Thalang museum and Wat Phra Nang Sang.

Highlights

The temple

The sanctuary was built around the statue. Worshippers come to make offerings and to stick gold leaf on the Buddha.

The legend of the buried Buddha

According to the legend, the statue emerges from the ground where a young herder is said to have tied his buffalo: he is said to have died suddenly, and villagers who tried to dig the statue out were driven off by hornets or ants. The versions differ between sources; the most common says nobody managed to dig it out, hence its present state.

Statues and paintings around

The neighbouring hall shows statues and objects of worship; some guides also mention a small local museum, without reliable opening hours.

Practical info

Tips

Cover shoulders and knees, take off your shoes before entering; do not touch the ground around the statue. The age of the temple is disputed between sources (some say 1750, others a visit by King Rama VI in 1909): this page gives no precise date. Combine with the Thalang National Museum and Wat Phra Nang Sang. This information comes from travel guides, not an official site.

How to get there

The temple is in Thalang, in the north of Phuket, about 20 km from Phuket Town. Allow 30 to 40 minutes by taxi or Grab from Patong or Phuket Town. By scooter the road is easy. Local buses from Phuket Town to Thalang pass nearby but are infrequent: see the transport guide.