Kanchanaburi - Wat Tham Sua

Dating from 1971, when a monk named Pasarigo used the hilltop caves for meditation, Wat Tham Sua ("Tiger Cave Temple") has the feel of a tourist attraction but its caves are now closed to the public.

Visible from far away, the temple features an impressive Buddha statue and chedi on the top of a hill. The Buddha statue, seated in the posture of giving blessings, is covered with gold mosaic and protected by an unusual shell-like structure.

The huge chedi, 69 meters high and 29 meters wide, is hollow. A staircase inside the building leads up to the top. Each level has rows of Buddha statues and multiple windows from which photos can be taken of the statue below set against a backdrop of rice paddies and mountains.

There are also footprints of the Buddha and an ancient pond on the hill. Behind the chedi is the Chinese pagoda of the adjacent Wat Tham Khao Noi.


Recommendation ***** (must see !)

At the foothill

Climb the stairs if you want merits, I'm going to take the cable car up so that I
can reserve my energy for the next temple climb

Cable car ride two way - tamboon 20 baht

A view down from the top flight of stairs

Huge Phra Chinnarat

Nice view from the top

Now to climb the Chedi

A view down from the Chedi

Top of the Chedi houses the Buddha Relics