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Somchai's Love Garden

One man's handmade garden of folk art and quiet spirituality, and nothing like the wats you've seen.

3.9(89)
Directions

Plan your visit

Hours
Open 24 hours daily

Dress Modestly

Cover shoulders and knees at all temples. Carry a light scarf or sarong — some temples lend wraps, but not all. Shoes come off before entering any building with a Buddha image.

Details

Address
RFFC+RRC, Ko Mak, Ko Kut District, Trat 23000, Thailand
Website
www.love-garden.org
Full opening hours
MondayOpen 24 hours
TuesdayOpen 24 hours
WednesdayOpen 24 hours
ThursdayOpen 24 hours
FridayOpen 24 hours
SaturdayOpen 24 hours
SundayOpen 24 hours

Why go, and how to do it well

This is a personal vision rather than a temple, and going in expecting incense and gold Buddhas is the fastest way to be disappointed. It's a garden on Ko Mak, made by hand, mixing folk art with a loose spiritual thread running through the grounds. The scale is small and domestic. The appeal is that someone built it because they wanted to, not because a tourist board commissioned it.

It splits opinion, and I understand why. If you like offbeat, one-person projects and you're happy to wander slowly and make your own sense of what you're looking at, you'll get an hour of something genuinely different out of it. If you want a headline sight to tick off, skip it and spend the time in the water instead. Early morning or late afternoon is kinder, both for light and for heat, since you're outdoors the whole time.

Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Sep 2026

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Around here, on foot

Well-rated places within a short walk of Somchai's Love Garden, nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.

Experience hints

Pair your visit. After Somchai's Love Garden, round out your day in Koh Chang with contrasting stops nearby.

RFFC+RRC, Ko Mak, Ko Kut District, Trat 23000, Thailand

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Tips for Visiting Temples & Culture

Mind Your Feet

Never point your feet at a Buddha image or a monk — it's considered deeply disrespectful. When sitting inside a temple, tuck your feet behind you or to the side.

Ask Before Photographing

Exterior photos are almost always fine, but some interior halls prohibit photography. Look for signs, and never pose irreverently with Buddha images — it's a legal offense in Thailand.

Go Early Morning

Big-name temples are dramatically less crowded in the first hour after opening. You'll also avoid the worst of the midday heat and get softer light for photos.

Somchai's Love Garden: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Somchai's Love Garden worth visiting?

Somchai's Love Garden holds a 3.9★ rating from 89 Google reviews. Reviews are mixed, so check recent visitor feedback above to see if it fits your plans.

What are the opening hours of Somchai's Love Garden?

Somchai's Love Garden is open 24 hours a day — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.

When is the best time to visit Somchai's Love Garden?

The best months to visit Koh Chang are November – March, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – January — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: June – September (rough seas, many closures).

Where is Somchai's Love Garden located?

Somchai's Love Garden is at RFFC+RRC, Ko Mak, Ko Kut District, Trat 23000, Thailand, in Koh Chang. Getting around Koh Chang: Shared songthaews along the west-coast road; Motorbike rental (฿200–300/day — the hills between beaches are steep, ride carefully).

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