Phuket Shrines

Visitors to Phuket invariably head for the beaches and warm seas for which the island is justly renowned. However, if you are curious about Phuket’s historic buildings and cultural origins it is well worth paying a visit to the ancient Chinese shrines which still survive.

Phuket Shrines
Phuket Shrines

Put Jaw Shrine
Put Jaw Shrine was constructed more than two hundred years ago making it the island’s oldest shrine. It is dedicated to Phra Mae Goan-Im or Guan Yin the Chinese God of Compassion. East Asian Buddhists revere this Bodhisattva (enlightened being) who is usually depicted in Thailand as a woman. In Chinese the name Guan Yin means ‘observing the sorrows of the world’. The Goddess is frequently associated with vegetarianism.

The main hall of the shrine holds a statue of Guan Hin and her attendants. As you enter you will find two containers near the doorway both containing bamboo sticks. They are said to foretell the futureand to diagnose illness. All you need to do is to shake each container gently until a single stickfallsout. Each stick bearsa number which relates to messages contained in pigeon holes that are set back against the walls of the shrine. The right wall holds fortune telling messages and the left, prescriptions to cure whatever ails you. A Chinese herbal pharmacist (they are common in the old Chinese quarterof town) will be able to fill the prescription for you.

If you are still curious to divine more of your future, you will find red fortune telling blocks inside the shrine – they look like wooden half-mangoes. Simply frame a yes/no question in your mind and toss the blocks down. If they land the same way up the answer is 'no'. If they fall on different sides it means 'yes'.

How to get there : From the fresh market in Phuket City, exit to Ranong Road, turn left, and pass by the Thai Airways Office and a Thai temple. The shrine is on the next corner. You cannot miss the characteristic towering Chinese style roof.

Kathu Shrine
This shrine is dedicated to 'Lau Yiah' which translates as 'Principle Deity' or 'God of Chinese Opera Troupe' and was the first shrine where the Phuket Vegetarian Festival was celebrated.

How to get there : From Ket Ho junction near the Prince of Songkhla University, Phuket Campus, turn left after 3 kilometres. Kathu Shrine is on the way to Kathu Waterfall which is also worth a visit.

Jui Tui Shrine
Jui Tui Shrine is adjacent to Put Jaw Shrine and is dedicated to Kiu Wong In, a vegetarian god who has a red face – representing benevolence according to Chinese symbolism. Jui Jui Shrine is more ornate than Put Jaw with exquisite carvings of guardians on the teak entrance doors. Believers who worship here seek sound health and longevity. This shrine plays an important role during Phuket’s Vegetarian Festival when sacred ceremonies take place.

Lim Hoo Tai Soo Shrine (Samkong Shrine)
A benefactor called Luang Sunthon Chine Pracha donated land and built this shrine with an image of Tai Soo Kong inside. It is believed that the deity has the power to cure illnesses.

How to get there : From the Tesco Lotus Intersection, head towards Samkong village (on the way to Phuket City) – about a 5 minute drive. Lim Hoo Tai Soo Shrine is on your left hand side.