Wat Photi Samphan
This is a temple for making merit, not for ticking off a sightseeing list. The grounds are large and quiet, the centrepiece a bright yellow ubosot marked out by sema stones, with a crematorium on site and cockerels wandering about like they own the place. Renovation work has been going on, so parts of the complex are in a state of change, and reviewers have turned up to find the ordination hall closed. If that would ruin your day, factor it in.
What people come back for is the shop selling donation baskets at 100 baht. Buy one, offer it to the monks, and they'll perform a blessing. There are envelopes for cash donations too. Several regulars talk about the monks here being happy to chat before and after prayers, which is not something you get at the big ticketed temples. Locals outnumber tourists most of the time and it feels that way.
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Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Wat Photi Samphan, round out your day in Pattaya with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
My girlfriend and I go to this temple frequently to make merit. They have a shop where you can buy gift baskets to donate to the monks for 100 baht, which is amazing because the baskets are large, lovely and full of useful items and food. They also have envelopes for putting money inside which you pass to the monks during the blessing ceremony they are happy to perform. The monks here are very kind and I always enjoy talking with them before and after the prayers. I wear a woven ‘good luck’ bracelet given to me by the monks there, the color they give you depends on the day of the week you were born. My gf and I were both born on a Thursday, so that’s often the day we go. There is a large school in the grounds and it’s very busy as school commences and when the students are let out in the afternoon, so midday visits are best during the week. The monks take a lunch break around 11 am, so be considerate when you make your plans. Highly recommend.
Wat Photi Samphan is a quite large and an interesting temple area near the busiest Pattaya centre area. There Buddhist temple areas are surprisingly peaceful places; tourists are not interested in these places outside their organized trips, locals you see in temples then and then, having their rituals.
It's a pleasant site to visit with cockrels wandering the area. The centre piece is the bright coloured (yellow) Ubosot demarcated by Sema stones. Unfortunately, there was no access to this building. Hence, I can't rate above two stars.
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 416 reviews on Google.
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Wat Photi Samphan: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wat Photi Samphan worth visiting?
Wat Photi Samphan holds a 4.6★ rating from 416 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated temples & culture in Pattaya.
What are the opening hours of Wat Photi Samphan?
Wat Photi Samphan 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 Photi Samphan?
The best months to visit Pattaya are November – February, 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 – October (rainy, rough seas).
Where is Wat Photi Samphan located?
Wat Photi Samphan is at 152 หมู่ 5 ถนน พัทยา Muang Pattaya, Amphoe Bang Lamung, Chang Wat Chon Buri 20150, Thailand, in Pattaya. Getting around Pattaya: Baht buses (songthaews on fixed routes); Grab (widely available).
Location Info
152 หมู่ 5 ถนน พัทยา Muang Pattaya, Amphoe Bang Lamung, Chang Wat Chon Buri 20150, Thailand+66 38 225 453www.facebook.com/WatPhothiSamphan/Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: June – October (rainy, rough seas)
Rainy season
May – October
Avg. temperature
24°C – 33°C(75°F – 91°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – January
Getting there
Minibus from Suvarnabhumi Airport (~1.5 hrs). Bus from Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal Ekkamai (~2 hrs). No direct train.
Getting around
- •Baht buses (songthaews on fixed routes)
- •Grab (widely available)
- •Motorbike taxis
- •Ferry to Koh Larn island
Where to stay near Wat Photi Samphan
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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

ISKCON Pattaya Temple
A peaceful Krishna temple in Pattaya open daily, welcoming visitors seeking spiritual calm amid the city's energy.

The Sanctuary of Truth Museum
A hand-carved wooden giant still under construction, and watching the carpenters work is half the point.

Dolphin Circle
A roundabout with a dolphin sculpture, useful as a meeting point, not really a destination.

Art In Paradise Pattaya
A 3D illusion museum that only works if you've got someone with you to press the shutter.
Similar Temples & Culture Across Thailand

Wat Phra Kaew
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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.

Wat Arun
Porcelain-covered spires best seen late afternoon, and yes, the midday heat on those grounds is brutal.
Where to stay near Wat Photi Samphan
Find hotels in Pattaya 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
November – February
Avoid: June – October (rainy, rough seas)
Rainy season
May – October
Avg. temperature
24°C – 33°C(75°F – 91°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – January
Getting there
Minibus from Suvarnabhumi Airport (~1.5 hrs). Bus from Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal Ekkamai (~2 hrs). No direct train.
Getting around
- •Baht buses (songthaews on fixed routes)
- •Grab (widely available)
- •Motorbike taxis
- •Ferry to Koh Larn island
