Wat Put Jaw

Posted by Andaman Sam on December 24th, 2010 filed in Day tripping

Phuket and is not a place that conjures up images of traditional buildings and significant religious sites in Thailand. Most people think of Phuket as a loud and busy tourist destination. However, there are some real cultural treasures to be found on Phuket, and it would be a real shame not to enjoy these, especially when they are located so close to the main beach and they offer free entry.

Put Jaw Chinese Temple, or Wat Put Jaw as it is known in Thai, is Phuket’s oldest Chinese temple. It is also referred to by its Chinese name, which is Kwam Im Teng. Kwam Im Ten is the Chinese Goddess of Mercy, and this temple was built to honour her.

Wat Put Jaw was constructed almost 200 years ago. In 1908 it had to undergo some renovations in order to keep the temple in working order. The temple holds a lot of significance for Thai with Chinese heritage. Wat Put Jaw is renowned throughout Thailand as the place to come if you have health problems that need curing. People with illnesses will come to Wat Put Jaw and shake a box that contains a number of bamboo sticks. When one of these sticks falls out of the box, they will then go and ask for the medical prescription that corresponds to the number on the bamboo stick. These prescriptions are all ancient Chinese herbal remedies.

Another interesting aspect of Wat Put Jaw is its importance in relation to the naming of newborn babies. Many parents come here to have their babies named. The belief is that their child will have a long and healthy life if they receive a proper name.

Wat Put Jaw is found in Soi Puthorn, just next-door to Wat Jui Tui.