Wat Sawang Arom
Come here for the quiet, not for perfection. This is a working Buddhist temple in Bo Put, white enough that on a bright day it genuinely hurts to look at, with a cluster of pavilions and buildings that are lovely in shape even if the paint and the pathways could do with attention. Reviewers say as much, and they're right. Most tourists head to the bigger temples on the island instead, which is exactly why this one stays calm.
What sets it apart is the welcome. The head monk, Khun Pasit, has been leading blessings, ceremonies and funerals for local families and foreign residents for years, and foreigners who want to make an offering are genuinely included rather than tolerated. You can buy flowers, incense and sangkata on site for a small amount of cash, and equipment used in monk blessings can be borrowed. Makha Bucha Day, with its candlelit procession, is the time to come if your dates line up. Entrance is free.
Book tours & tickets in Koh Samui
Day trips, skip-the-line entry, and guided experiences around Wat Sawang Arom — book ahead and skip the on-the-ground markup.
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Wat Sawang Arom, round out your day in Koh Samui with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
We have known this temple since 2015, the head monk Khun Pasit is a very kind man. He has lead blessings where I have worked, for our own business, for loved ones lost, and lead the funeral of my father in law. This temple welcomes foreigners who wish to make a Bhuddist offering. You can get flowers, insence, sangkata all at the temple for an offering for some cash. This temple also has Koh Samui"s only Burmese Monk. Lovely pavillions and buildings. You can borrow equipment used in Monk blessings from them also if you need to arrange a blessing off site. A very special place 🙏
Because it is white, it is quite a strain on the eyes on a sunny day. A nice looking temple. So are the surrounding buildings.
It's a nice temple, but it requires some maintenance. Entrance is free. Very quiet territory and nice surroundings.
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 214 reviews on Google.
Also Popular in Koh Samui
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Samui (Soi 1 Branch)
Ethical elephant sanctuary in Maenam offering daily hands-on encounters with rescued elephants in a jungle setting.
Central Samui
Air-con when you need it, open-air wings when you don't, and a food court worth the trip on its own.
Hin Ta Hin Yai
Two rude-shaped rocks, free to visit, worth twenty minutes and a coconut ice cream on the way out.
THE COCOON - SAMUI VIEWPOINT
Hanging nets over the jungle canopy, sunset timed right, and a live band once it gets dark.
Wat Sawang Arom: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wat Sawang Arom worth visiting?
Wat Sawang Arom holds a 4.7★ rating from 214 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated temples & culture in Koh Samui.
What are the opening hours of Wat Sawang Arom?
Wat Sawang Arom 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 Wat Sawang Arom?
The best months to visit Koh Samui are January – August, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in July – August & December — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: October – December (Gulf Coast monsoon).
Where is Wat Sawang Arom located?
Wat Sawang Arom is at 109 ถ. ทวีราษฎร์ภักดี Tambon Bo Put, Amphoe Ko Samui, Chang Wat Surat Thani 84320, Thailand, in Koh Samui. Getting around Koh Samui: Songthaews (fixed routes around the ring road); Motorbike or scooter rental.
Location Info
109 ถ. ทวีราษฎร์ภักดี Tambon Bo Put, Amphoe Ko Samui, Chang Wat Surat Thani 84320, Thailandwww.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064772676344Visitor Information
Best time to visit
January – August
Avoid: October – December (Gulf Coast monsoon)
Rainy season
October – December
Avg. temperature
24°C – 32°C(75°F – 90°F)
Crowds
Peak: July – August & December
Getting there
Koh Samui Airport (USM) has direct flights from Bangkok and regional hubs (Bangkok Airways monopoly). The ferry from Surat Thani takes ~1.5 hrs and it's cheaper.
Getting around
- •Songthaews (fixed routes around the ring road)
- •Motorbike or scooter rental
- •Taxis (metered or negotiate upfront)
- •Grab available in main areas
Where to stay near Wat Sawang Arom
Find hotels in Koh Samui on the booking sites travellers trust most.
- Compare prices across sites
- Filter for free cancellation
- Secure checkout on the partner site
Compare rates on Booking.com
Largest selection
Compare rates on Expedia
Bundle & save
Compare rates on Hotels.com
Member prices
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Tips for Visiting Temples & Culture
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.
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.
Nearby Places
Shri Shiva Dham Temple Koh Samui
A working Hindu temple on a mostly Buddhist island, quiet and devotional rather than built for sightseers.
Khao Hua Jook Chedi
A hilltop Buddhist temple in Bo Put offering rare serenity, panoramic island views, and a genuine spiritual atmosphere.
Wat Phang Bua
A quiet working temple next to a school, with barely a tourist in sight and mosquitoes that mean business.
Muang Samui
A Buddhist temple on Chaweng Beach Road offering an authentic cultural counterpoint to Koh Samui's beach scene.
Similar Temples & Culture Across Thailand
Wat Phra Kaew
Go at 08:30 or don't bother, the Emerald Buddha's courtyards fill up fast and stay full until closing.
Doi Suthep Temple
Go at first light, before the tour vans arrive, and the golden chedi and the whole Chiang Mai valley are yours.
The Grand Palace
Go at 08:30 sharp, cover your shoulders and legs, and give it three hours rather than one.
The Sanctuary of Truth Museum
A hand-carved wooden giant still under construction, and watching the carpenters work is half the point.
Where to stay near Wat Sawang Arom
Find hotels in Koh Samui on the booking sites travellers trust most.
- Compare prices across sites
- Filter for free cancellation
- Secure checkout on the partner site
Compare rates on Booking.com
Largest selection
Compare rates on Expedia
Bundle & save
Compare rates on Hotels.com
Member prices
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Location Info
Visitor Information
Best time to visit
January – August
Avoid: October – December (Gulf Coast monsoon)
Rainy season
October – December
Avg. temperature
24°C – 32°C(75°F – 90°F)
Crowds
Peak: July – August & December
Getting there
Koh Samui Airport (USM) has direct flights from Bangkok and regional hubs (Bangkok Airways monopoly). The ferry from Surat Thani takes ~1.5 hrs and it's cheaper.
Getting around
- •Songthaews (fixed routes around the ring road)
- •Motorbike or scooter rental
- •Taxis (metered or negotiate upfront)
- •Grab available in main areas