Wat Khunaram (Mummified Monk)
Temple displaying the seated, sunglasses-wearing mummified body of monk Luang Pho Daeng, who died in meditation in 1973 — remarkably well preserved.
- Category
- Temples (Wat)
- Entrance fee
- Free (donations welcome), as of 2026 — confirm locally
- Hours
- Daily, roughly 08:00–17:00; confirm locally
- Best time
- Any daylight hour; combine with Na Muang waterfall and Hin Ta Hin Yai on a south-loop day
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes
About Wat Khunaram (Mummified Monk)
This one is genuinely odd, in the best way. The main draw is the seated, remarkably preserved body of Luang Pho Daeng, the monk who died in meditation and is still sitting there decades later, sunglasses and all. It sounds macabre, but locals treat it as a sign of his devotion rather than a spectacle, and that framing is worth keeping in mind.
It's offbeat, it's free, and it takes only a few minutes to see, so it's more of an interesting stop than a headline attraction. If mummified remains aren't your thing, it's an easy skip with no regrets.
Behave respectfully around the display, keep your voice down, and dress modestly like at any temple. It sits right on the south loop, so it slots neatly into a day with Na Muang waterfall and the Grandfather and Grandmother rocks.
Highlights
- Preserved seated body of monk Luang Pho Daeng
- The famous sunglasses on the mummified monk
- A genuinely offbeat, uniquely Samui stop
- Free to enter
Tips
- Be respectful and quiet around the remains
- Dress modestly as at any working temple
- Quick stop, so bundle it into a south-coast loop
- Easy to pair with Na Muang waterfall nearby
How to get there
About 25–30 min by scooter/taxi southwest from Chaweng via Route 4169 (between Lamai and Na Muang)