Wat Lamai Temple Folklore Museum

Located in Ban Lamai on the main road is the Wat Lamai Temple Folklore Museum Koh Samui. Positioned on a sharp bend in the heart of Lamai. Two huge Yak statues stand majestically either side of the entrance to Lamai Temple. The Yaks are warriors who guard and defend the Buddha Statues within the temple grounds. At the entrance is a small car park to the right. The temple is the hub of the community locals visit daily to pray and offer gifts to Buddha. Weddings funerals and festivals are hosted on a regular basis at Wat Lamai Temple. Music concerts and special events, and cinema nights are held within the temple grounds. It’s a great place to visit during your stay on the island of Koh Samui Thailand.

The Temple Lamai

Wat Lamai Temple Folklore Museum is the hub of the community and locals visit daily to pray and offer gifts to Buddha.  Within the temple grounds is Lamai Temple School. The children in the playground are curious to see the tourists and giggling and waving to get your attention. Do not enter the playground or school grounds it is not open to the public. A great place to visit during your stay on the island revealing the history of Lamai and Koh Samui.

Temple Grounds Lamai

Locals and tourists donate flowers, food, and money for the upkeep of the temple. The monks wander the temple grounds attending to their daily chores. The Buddhist monks live behind the temple evident from the distinctive orange robes on the washing lines. The temple is one of the busiest on the Island of Samui. Wat Lamai Temple Folklore Museum is home to an array of Koh Samui’s history. Within the grounds, monks feed stray dogs who wander around the temple and appear at feeding time. The monks welcome donations of dog and cat food to the temple.

Folklore Museum

Wat Lamai Temple Folklore Museum is a cultural centre that houses artefacts from Koh Samui’s history. The historical Buddhist artefacts are housed in the community cultural hall behind the temple. A 2000-year-old ceremonial drum unearthed in Lamai is now displayed in the Wat Lamai temple grounds. There are brass statues and stone carvings adorning the hall of the Wat Lamai Temple Folklore Museum. The earthenware pots of different shapes and sizes show their age from the faded colours. The collections from different eras of Koh Samui’s history are on show for the public to visit. Remove your shoes before entering the museum temple. The mix of artefacts give an insight into the culture and the religious beliefs of Samui’s history.

Etiquette at Wat Lamai Temple

• Bow Your Head.
• Remove Shoes.
• Cover Shoulders – wrap or tee-shirt.
• Cover to below Knees – not shorts.
• Keep the noise level to a minimum.
• Do not touch the statues especially on the head.
• Do not climb on the Statues.
• Refrain from physical contact and public affection.
• Stand up in the worship area if a monk enters.
• Donations are essential for the upkeep of the temples. (Optional).