Boonkanjanaram Meditation Center
Tucked away in Chon Buri province near Pattaya, Boonkanjanaram Meditation Center is a Buddhist hermitage and wellness retreat where visitors come to practice vipassana meditation, find stillness, and step away from the noise of everyday life. The center sits within a calm, natural environment and has earned a strong reputation among those seeking genuine spiritual retreat rather than a commercial wellness experience. Guests stay in individual kutis (small meditation huts), creating a sense of solitude and focus that is central to the practice. An English-speaking monk is typically available to offer guidance, making the center accessible to international visitors who are new to vipassana or looking to deepen their practice. Reviewers consistently describe the atmosphere as peaceful, clean, and welcoming, with attentive and caring staff. The center is noted for being less strict than some monasteries, which makes it a more approachable option for lay visitors. Stays require a minimum of three nights, so this is not a drop-in experience — plan ahead and set aside enough time to genuinely settle in. As there is no website listed, prospective visitors are advised to contact the center directly before arriving to confirm availability and any guidelines around clothing, conduct, or donations. This is a place suited to those who are ready to slow down and be present.
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Boonkanjanaram Meditation Center, round out your day in Pattaya with contrasting stops nearby.
Visitor Reviews
I am writing this review sitting now in my kuti and I feel very good and calm. I want other people to know about this place and come here as often as possible. There is peace and tranquility, nature and harmony here. Maybe I am far from vipassana and I still have a lot of practice to do, but this did not prevent me from feeling alone with myself. I felt alone with nature and my soul opened up. God, it is so beautiful here. This singing of birds is mesmerizing, I have never seen such a variety of birds, mischievous squirrels running along the branches of trees, butterflies and bumblebees circling around flowers, this is a fantastic place. It is worth going here at least to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city in the practice of meditation. I am grateful to every employee of this center. Thank you for making this place so unique, thank you for your care. Thank you for giving me a little more food and supporting me. I am very grateful to all of you. Thank you to the mister monk for his instructions, rays of happiness emanate from him. Every person in this meditation center is so bright and radiant. Thank you for your warmth and care. Good luck and prosperity to you. 🙏🏻
You can stay here for a minimum of 3 days, and longer if you like. Here you will be able to practice vipassana on your own, but you can ask the monk who speaks english for guidance. You will get your own kuti with AC for 500 Bht. or fan for 300 Bht. I really took my time to meditate here and it was very helpful. Everyone is really kind and welcoming. It is definitely for those who are familiar with meditation. There is also a library. Thank you to everyone at Boonkanjanaram 🙏🏻❤️🇹🇭
Lovely hermitage for those who wish to practice meditation. The staff was very helpful and there usually is an English speaking monk who can teach lay visitors. It's less strict than other monasteries/retreat centers with no set schedule or group practice. At first it's a little frightening, but the rewards of staying are many - fold. I warmly recommend this center to all!
Tips for Visiting Wellness & Spas
Learn Wat Pho First
Wat Pho in Bangkok is the birthplace of traditional Thai massage education. Their on-site massage pavilion offers excellent treatments from students and graduates at reasonable prices — and you know the technique is authentic.
Communicate Pressure Preferences
Thai massage can be intense. Say 'bao bao' for lighter pressure or 'nак nак' for harder. A good therapist will check in, but don't hesitate to speak up — suffering in silence defeats the purpose.
Book Longer Sessions
A 60-minute massage is fine, but 90 or 120 minutes allows the therapist to work thoroughly. The price difference is often only 200–400 THB for an extra hour — worth it for a deeper, more relaxing experience.
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Koh Chang
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Ko Mak
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JK Thai Inter Language School (ED visa)
Pattaya language school offering Thai courses and ED visa support, open daily 9am–8pm in Pratumnak.
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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