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San Chao Phra Pun Tao Kong
Temples & Culture
Phuket

San Chao Phra Pun Tao Kong

4.3(58 reviews)

Perched along the busy Vichitsongkram Road connecting Patong to Phuket Town, this Chinese place of worship holds a quiet but meaningful presence for both locals and curious travellers. The shrine is dedicated to a revered deity and draws devotees who stop to pray at its multiple shrines, each with its own significance. One reviewer notes that it sits near the hilltop with views facing the Andaman Sea, adding a scenic dimension to the spiritual visit. Upon arrival, staff offer bundles of incense sticks for visitors to light at each individual shrine, making the experience participatory and immersive. The temple also features traditional fortune-telling sticks, known as kau cim, where visitors shake a cup of numbered sticks until one falls out to receive a reading. The atmosphere is devotional and relatively compact, so visits tend to be unhurried rather than overwhelming. One distinctly local custom worth knowing: drivers passing the shrine traditionally honk their horns an even number of times as a gesture of good luck and respect. Visitors arriving by car should be prepared for a noisy roadside setting and note that parking in the area is limited. Based on reviewer reports, the shrine appears to be open from 9am to 5pm, though confirming hours before visiting is advisable. Modest, respectful dress is recommended as this is an active place of worship.

Experience hints

Hidden gem

Pair your visit. After San Chao Phra Pun Tao Kong, round out your day in Phuket with contrasting stops nearby.

Visitor Reviews

Great temple with many shrines to pray to. Staff will give you a bundle of incense sticks which you can light at each of the shrines. Has the fortune telling sticks where you shake the cup until one of them falls out, each one with a different fortune. Definitely recommend, ask the staff to tell you in which order to do everything.

Open from 9am till 17pm recommended to make a wish if you strongly believe in faith your wish will come true behind this you can go to visit the other temple right on top of the hill facing Andaman view

located on the Patong Hill top, you should honk while passing.

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.

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Visitor Information

Best time to visit

November – April

Avoid: June – September (rough seas)

Rainy season

May – October

Avg. temperature

24°C – 33°C(75°F – 91°F)

Crowds

Very High

Peak: December – January

Getting there

Phuket International Airport (HKT) receives direct international flights. Ferries connect from Krabi and Koh Phi Phi.

Getting around

  • Grab (widely available)
  • Tuk-tuks (fixed routes, negotiate)
  • Motorbike rental
  • Airport bus to Phuket Town
  • Ferry & speedboat to nearby islands