Sight guide · Koh Phangan · Thailand
Visiting Wat Khao Tham
A hilltop temple and forest meditation centre above Ban Tai, known for its silent meditation retreats for foreign visitors.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Wat Khao Tham is a religious site in Ban Tai and Ban Khai, Koh Phangan. Allow 1 hour (visit) or several days (retreat); it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Religious site
- Area
- Ban Tai and Ban Khai
- Time needed
- 1 hour (visit) or several days (retreat)
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- views and history
- Best months
- May–June and September
About Wat Khao Tham
A hilltop temple and forest meditation centre above Ban Tai, known for its silent meditation retreats for foreign visitors. The quiet grounds look out across the sea towards Koh Samui.
Tip: Dress modestly and keep quiet in the grounds; retreats are structured and must be applied for in advance.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1 hour (visit) or several days (retreat).
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Ban Tai and Ban Khai, south-coast villages between Thong Sala and Haad Rin, with jungle parties and calm shallows.
Best time to visit Wat Khao Tham
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- May: 33°C (91°F) highs, about 13 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- September: 32°C (90°F) highs, about 15 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- June: 32°C (90°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, moderate crowds.
For the view at golden hour: in mid-May the sun sets at about 18:33 local time (calculated for Koh Phangan).
When to visit Koh Phangan has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Wat Khao Tham is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Full Moon Party at Haad Rin and Bottle Beach.
- No. 14 of the 16 sights in our Koh Phangan things-to-do list.
- Day 5 of the 5-day plan.
Near Wat Khao Tham
Also in Ban Tai and Ban Khai, so you can walk between them:
- Wat Pho herbal sauna — 1–1.5 hours, low cost
Staying near Wat Khao Tham
Stay in Ban Tai and Ban Khai ($$) to walk here: south-coast villages between Thong Sala and Haad Rin, with jungle parties and calm shallows. All areas to stay in Koh Phangan.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Wat Khao Tham?
Plan 1 hour (visit) or several days (retreat). With Wat Pho herbal sauna nearby, it fits a half-day in Ban Tai and Ban Khai.
+Is Wat Khao Tham free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Wat Khao Tham?
May–June and September, the quietest of the good months. Dress modestly and keep quiet in the grounds; retreats are structured and must be applied for in advance.
+Do I need to book Wat Khao Tham in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.