Prathat Sawee
Prathat Sawee
How To Get There
Location: About 47km from Chumphon town centre, 3km from Sawee town at Ban Wat Sawee, Sawee district. The prathat is just to the west of highway 41, on the northern bank of the Sawee river.
Directions: From Chumphon, follow highway 41 south to Sawee district. About 36km south of Chumphon turn right at the sign for Prathat Sawee (note that you will need to make a U-turn about a kilometre further on as this stretch of road is dual carriageway). Follow the concrete road for about 1-2km, where you will find Prathat Sawee on the left hand side.
This is one of the many temples in Chumphon province
Prathat Sawee is believed to have been built around 700 years ago, during the Ayudhaya period. According to legend the army of Phra Chao Sri Thamma Sokarat came across a flock of albino crows near some ruins. He ordered the debris to be removed, and a large pagoda was uncovered. Digging deeper, they found a jar containing the Buddha relic. A new chedi was built over the older pagoda, with the Buddha's relic enshrined within
The golden chedi is situated in the centre of a walled courtyard. Along the four walls, covered by the original roof, are many Buddha statues. To the left of the courtyard entrance is a small bell tower, and Opposite the entrance is the shrine of Phra Sua Muang, revered by the people of Sawee, containing a life size statue.
This temple receives very few western tourists, and is a beautiful, peaceful place. Most of the structure is believed to be the original construction, although a repair was performed in 1916.
