Laem Sor Pagoda
Laem Sor Pagoda
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This beach-front chedi may be the most beautiful place on the island.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.0
93 reviews
Excellent
38
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40
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11
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4
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Miketravelsworld
Oregon12 contributions
Jan 2023
If you're in the area, this Pagoda is worth a brief visit. The setting in stunning, on the beach at sea level. The pagoda and shrine are dedicated to a monk that built it and sailed to this area from a local island.
Written January 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lisaannem
Vancouver, Canada176 contributions
Dec 2011 • Couples
We did the Laem Sor Pagoda as part of a day trip visiting temples and religious sites along the south coast of Koh Samui, hiring a taxi for about 1500 bht ($48) for the trip (3-4 hours). Wat Laem Sor lies at the most southerly part of the island, a temple area apparently constructed in the shape of a boat (a design which can only be seen from the hills beyond). It’s a kilometer or so off the main 4170 road but not well-marked so I’m not sure whether we’d have found it on our own.
As we pulled up to Bang Kao beach, on the temple grounds we saw an ornately designed chedi sitting at the rocky water’s edge. Covered in thousands and thousands of small yellow tiles, it appears golden when viewed from a short distance. To the west of the chedi is what appears to be a lake with mangrove trees and, with global warming, and the rising seas, it looks as though the shore here is being significantly eroded. A few metres to the east of the chedi we saw a low glass-fronted building, the Boat Hall. Inside the hall is a wooden boat and on the boat a glass case containing the mummified body of Pho Luang Dang, the monk who built the chedi. Famed for his meditation skills, he liked nothing better than to take a boat and visit one of the small islands offshore and spend some time there meditating. The Boat Hall was built after his death and in it are, in addition to the large boat, dozens of small models of boats. Apparently people pray to the monk and if their wishes are granted they purchase a model boat and place it in the Boat Hall as a gesture of thanks. We tried the doors but unfortunately they were locked so we could only gaze on this panorama from outside the glass.
Also in the Wat Laem Sor grounds, but a bit of a distance away, lies the Khao (mountain) Chedi. Apparently until recently this site was a ruin but it is now being rehabilitated. A fairly steep concrete road, which our taxi driver decided was too steep for her vehicle, travels up a small mountain, at the top of which can be reached stone stairs; at the top of these lies the temple chedi site. A graceful white pagoda, surrounded with many white and gold Buddhas, a large white boy-Buddha, and several shrines, including a large bell, beneath which a tableau of Buddhas being watched by Bambi was installed, greet the visitor. From the top, the panorama of Laem Sor Bay and the nearby islands is beautiful. Both chedis, the beachside golden one and the mountain top white one, are said to contain “bone-chips” of the Buddha in their foundations. Recommended. See more pictures here: http://lmaclean.ca/2011/12/koh-samui-south-island-temple-tour/
As we pulled up to Bang Kao beach, on the temple grounds we saw an ornately designed chedi sitting at the rocky water’s edge. Covered in thousands and thousands of small yellow tiles, it appears golden when viewed from a short distance. To the west of the chedi is what appears to be a lake with mangrove trees and, with global warming, and the rising seas, it looks as though the shore here is being significantly eroded. A few metres to the east of the chedi we saw a low glass-fronted building, the Boat Hall. Inside the hall is a wooden boat and on the boat a glass case containing the mummified body of Pho Luang Dang, the monk who built the chedi. Famed for his meditation skills, he liked nothing better than to take a boat and visit one of the small islands offshore and spend some time there meditating. The Boat Hall was built after his death and in it are, in addition to the large boat, dozens of small models of boats. Apparently people pray to the monk and if their wishes are granted they purchase a model boat and place it in the Boat Hall as a gesture of thanks. We tried the doors but unfortunately they were locked so we could only gaze on this panorama from outside the glass.
Also in the Wat Laem Sor grounds, but a bit of a distance away, lies the Khao (mountain) Chedi. Apparently until recently this site was a ruin but it is now being rehabilitated. A fairly steep concrete road, which our taxi driver decided was too steep for her vehicle, travels up a small mountain, at the top of which can be reached stone stairs; at the top of these lies the temple chedi site. A graceful white pagoda, surrounded with many white and gold Buddhas, a large white boy-Buddha, and several shrines, including a large bell, beneath which a tableau of Buddhas being watched by Bambi was installed, greet the visitor. From the top, the panorama of Laem Sor Bay and the nearby islands is beautiful. Both chedis, the beachside golden one and the mountain top white one, are said to contain “bone-chips” of the Buddha in their foundations. Recommended. See more pictures here: http://lmaclean.ca/2011/12/koh-samui-south-island-temple-tour/
Written June 22, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arthurrvr
Marlborough, UK1,426 contributions
Sep 2011 • Couples
Although the golden Laem Sor Srivichai Pagoda/Chedi is good, what makes it very good is the setting. The pagoda is a little difficult to find as it is a kilometre or two off the main 4170 road but there are some signs and as it is right on the south coast, very close to the most southerly point on Samui, it shouldn't be too difficult to get there. This Pagoda/Chedi is not that old having been built only in 1968 but there is another white Chedi associated with this temple a couple of hundred metres away on a small hill which is earlier, built in 1908 - but we were short of time so gave it a miss as it is meant to be not nearly as impressive. Both Chedi contain sacred relics.
You don't really get to see the rest of the temple and the monks as they are a bit further back behind some trees in a 'meditation forest' and most tourists just go to the Srivichai Pagoda at Laem Sor and then go away again. And an impressive sight the Chedi is with the yellow tiles twinkling in the sunlight so that from afar it looks like it is made of solid gold - and behind the deep blue of the sea and views of other islands in the distance. There are some smaller religious statues under an awning in front of the Chedi where worshippers make offerings and light candles/incense sticks. Various other Buddha statues can be seen around the Chedi. Just to the west of the Chedi is a small lake with a number of mangrove trees plus all along the beach area are a number of concrete tables & benches under the trees. This is a good place just to relax and take it easy - though remember that it is an active religious site so be respectful and don't wear revealing clothing.
A few metres to the east of the Chedi you can see a low building on the beach with glass walls. This is the Boat Hall and in it you will see a small boat and in the boat a statue in a glass case of Pho Luang Dang who built the Chedi. He was a monk who was famed for his meditation skills and he liked nothing better than to take a boat and visit one of the small islands that you can see from the Chedi and spend some time there meditating. The Boat Hall was built after his death and in it as well as the main boat you will see dozens of small models of boats. Apparently people do pray to the monk and if their wishes are granted they purchase a model boat and place it in the Boat Hall as a gesture of thanks.
Maybe because of its distance from the main resorts, this still remains a mainly very peaceful place (apart from on festival days) as well as a very beautiful place.
You don't really get to see the rest of the temple and the monks as they are a bit further back behind some trees in a 'meditation forest' and most tourists just go to the Srivichai Pagoda at Laem Sor and then go away again. And an impressive sight the Chedi is with the yellow tiles twinkling in the sunlight so that from afar it looks like it is made of solid gold - and behind the deep blue of the sea and views of other islands in the distance. There are some smaller religious statues under an awning in front of the Chedi where worshippers make offerings and light candles/incense sticks. Various other Buddha statues can be seen around the Chedi. Just to the west of the Chedi is a small lake with a number of mangrove trees plus all along the beach area are a number of concrete tables & benches under the trees. This is a good place just to relax and take it easy - though remember that it is an active religious site so be respectful and don't wear revealing clothing.
A few metres to the east of the Chedi you can see a low building on the beach with glass walls. This is the Boat Hall and in it you will see a small boat and in the boat a statue in a glass case of Pho Luang Dang who built the Chedi. He was a monk who was famed for his meditation skills and he liked nothing better than to take a boat and visit one of the small islands that you can see from the Chedi and spend some time there meditating. The Boat Hall was built after his death and in it as well as the main boat you will see dozens of small models of boats. Apparently people do pray to the monk and if their wishes are granted they purchase a model boat and place it in the Boat Hall as a gesture of thanks.
Maybe because of its distance from the main resorts, this still remains a mainly very peaceful place (apart from on festival days) as well as a very beautiful place.
Written October 5, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jlamkk
singapore816 contributions
Apr 2021
Laem Sor Pagoda located beside a beach. not much to see here.
the beach is very dirty and full of rubbish.
a very quiet place.
the beach is very dirty and full of rubbish.
a very quiet place.
Written April 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alex l
16 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
The pagoda at Lawn Sor is very pretty and certainly worth seeing.
However, be aware that there's no tourist information or infrastructure there. No market, no bar or cafe.
Just a pagoda on a beach. It's great to photograph and to contemplate, but don't expect things to be geared to western visitors.
Dress modestly for a visit too, it's considered bad form to arrive in a bikini.
However, be aware that there's no tourist information or infrastructure there. No market, no bar or cafe.
Just a pagoda on a beach. It's great to photograph and to contemplate, but don't expect things to be geared to western visitors.
Dress modestly for a visit too, it's considered bad form to arrive in a bikini.
Written June 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FitnessHealthTravel
Ko Samui, Thailand296 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
This beautiful area marks the end of the Island. The headland is the most southerly point on the Island and the Buddhist Monks have the Pagoda Temple. Pagoda is the triangle shaped temple you see all over this region. This was build in 1907, 1967 hit by lightning and run down until 2003 when it too two years to rebuild by hand. It's a really nice peaceful place where the Monks are seen walking around chatting, chanting and meditating. You can get a fresh cold coconut to drink and have a walk around. Please be respectful and wear clothing not swimwear.
Written July 26, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Natania P
Jakarta19 contributions
Sep 2014 • Couples
Please dress properly and show respect because the pagoda is sacred and local people still do prayer there.
The pagoda is surrounded by the beach, both very beautiful. Worth a visit!
The pagoda is surrounded by the beach, both very beautiful. Worth a visit!
Written September 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ibadanboy
Nairobi, Kenya5,997 contributions
Aug 2014 • Friends
This temple is on the southern coast of Ko Samui. Rather removed from everywhere else, it requires determination to get to it. But it is worth it. Located on a really quiet stretch of beach overlooking the water, it is a beautiful temple definitely worth visiting. Recommended as part of a trip to the Namuang Waterfall.
Written August 25, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rebecca C
Bournemouth6 contributions
Aug 2012
After a little bit of hunting for this Pagoda we finally manged to find it (the maps arent great!) it is really beautiful and situated right on the beach. Once you have wandered around and had your fill of cultre you can walk right along the beach, a beautiful place to spend a few hours.
Written August 24, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simonsangel
Leeds, UK118 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
Really did expect a bit more, however we did enjoy finding pretty shells on the beach!!!.... does that say it all....
Quite sad actually because the beach itself is spoilt by the abundance of flip flops and rubbish
Smells of stagnant water too so mosquito central! Sad really I expected something of a difference
Quite sad actually because the beach itself is spoilt by the abundance of flip flops and rubbish
Smells of stagnant water too so mosquito central! Sad really I expected something of a difference
Written June 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there a cost for this? How do I get here from the airport in Samui?
Written June 19, 2017
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