The short answer
Wat Salak Phet: what visitors should know first
Worth a short stop if you are touring the south and east of the island. It is a working village temple, so dress modestly and keep voices low. Opening details are not well documented, so ask locally.
History and context
The story behind Wat Salak Phet
According to Wikivoyage, the temple dates from the reign of King Rama V, and a new temple was finished nearby in 2014. Visit hours are not documented in the sources checked.
Useful facts
Wat Salak Phet facts at a glance
- Location
- Ban Salak Phet, south-east coast
- Faith
- Theravada Buddhism
- Dedication
- Village temple
- Visitor note
- Cover shoulders and knees; shoes off
- Built
- Rama V era; new temple finished 2014
Why it matters
Why Wat Salak Phet is worth your time
Temples on Koh Chang are few, and Wat Salak Phet gives visitors a rare look at village life away from the beaches. It reminds you that Koh Chang had fishing communities well before tourism.
The old temple building kept as a museum links the village to the era of King Rama V, when the island was part of a wider Siamese coastline. It also gives travellers a quiet reason to leave the beach strip and see how residents of the island live, with a simple, respectful visit that takes under an hour.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Old temple museum
The original building is preserved as a museum.
- 02
Quiet village
A calmer side of the island.
- 03
New temple hall
A 2014 building beside the old one.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Wat Salak Phet sits in the fishing village of Salak Phet on the quieter side of the island, away from the west-coast resorts. Wikivoyage notes the original temple, from the reign of King Rama V, is now a museum, and a new temple building was completed nearby in 2014.
Visit as part of a drive round the south-east, where Ao Salak Phet is the island's largest bay. Dress as you would for any Thai temple, with covered shoulders and knees, and take shoes off at doorways. Do not point your feet at a Buddha image or touch monks, and ask before photographing worshippers.
Plan with confidence
Visit as a guest, not a spectator.
- Dress modestly
- Remove shoes
- Ask before photographing
- Confirm road conditions in rain
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Ban Salak Phet, south-east Koh Chang
- Time needed
- 30-45 minutes
- Best time
- Morning, before the heat
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Grounds are mostly level but there is little shade. Expect a few steps into buildings. Shoes come off at the entrances.
- Tickets and access
- Free; donations welcome. Cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes before entering halls.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Wat Salak Phet
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Grounds are mostly level but there is little shade. Expect a few steps into buildings. Shoes come off at the entrances.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is entry free?
Temple entry is generally free; donations are welcome.
What should I wear?
Cover shoulders and knees.
Is it open daily?
Check locally, as hours are not widely published.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.