Wat Ao Noi, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, Thailand

5Wdkingman 5:00 PM Jun 16, 2015

Wonderful Temple
A beautiful teak temple with many, many colored murals carved in bass-relief style, a wonderful fish pond with a sala, a large two-chamber cave up the hill, and a very conversational Monk in a quiet setting approximately 8 km north from Prachuap along the coastal road combine for memorable experience. Carved wood, strong colors, wonderful textures, adjacent limestone hill, large illuminated cave, and dragon sculptures provide great photo opportunities. Time stands still when the temple grounds are quiet. Visit, make merit, and provide a donation to the dog care fund. You will be glad you did.

4Michael C 5:00 PM Jul 25, 2016

There are actually 2 attractions here - Wat Ao Noi & the Reclining Buddha Cave!
About 15 minutes drive to the north of Prachuap Kirikhan is Ao Noi, home to a small fishing village and the magnificent Wat Ao Noi. Wat Ao Noi is a dazzling chapel made entirely of Teak, decorated with elaborate Thai paintings, exquisitely carved. There is a Buddha image enshrined inside for visitors to worship and pray for good fortune. The walls of the Wat are covered with elegant painted murals depicting a collection of Buddhist stories. And just a a few hundred meters from Wat Ao Noi is a cement stairway leading up the hillside to Tham Phra Non (reclining Buddha cave). After a 10 minute walk up the partly collapsing stairway we entered the cave complex where in connecting caverns were two reclining Buddha images wearing similar yellow robes along with a beautiful but rather spooky group of white sitting Buddha images. Ao Noi is worth the visit for these Buddha images alone and then there are the views over the bay as you ascend and descend from Tham Phra Non. Wat Ao Noi at the base of the hillside and adjacent to the beach makes the trip just that little bit more special.