Wat Tham seua (Tum Sua) Khao Kaeo Vipassana Center,
Krabi, Thailand is an ecclesiastical residence for
meditation founded by the Venerable Chamnian Silsetso (Ajahn
Jumnien), a well known monk for Vipassana practice from
1975 (B.E. 2518). It's name, "Tum Sua" means "Cave
Temple" and comes from the fact that once there was a
large leopard livingin one of the caves in Khao Kaeo.
Within that cave is found a natural rock formation in
the shape of a tiger's palm.
The general environment of Tum Sua is jungle like with
many large trees living for hundreds of years old
growing in the Kiriwong Valley. There are many caves to
explore such as Tum Khon Than, Tum Lod, Tum Chang Kaeo,
and Tum Luk Thanu. Prehistoric and historic artifacts
have been found here on the temple grounds.
(gathering information for this page...)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * *
Tips if you are planning on visiting Wat Tum Sua in Krabi:
1. The temple area is considered sacred. Men, and of
course ladies, please do not remove your shirts anywhere
on temple grounds. The
temple has relaxed standards with regards to wearing
shorts and sandals, but shirts are mandatory.
2. If
you choose to climb the 1,237 stairs to the top of the
mountain when you arrive at the top please remove your
shoes before going onto the ceramic tile area on the top
level. There is a sign, but it is unclear and in Thai.
Please remove all shoes. Socks are OK at the top.
3.
Please don't spit, yell, swear, argue, fight, or be
disruptive on the temple grounds.
4. Buy some bananas
to feed the monkeys in the convenience store on the
temple grounds! 5. The monkeys can be aggressive. They
go through moods. In the early morning before 10:00am
you might find them aggressive. They are hungry. They
may jump on you if you have a bag or are eating
something in front of them. Don't eat in front of them
unless you intend to share. If you want to eat please do
so in the front of the temple area as the monkeys are
usually toward the steps leading up the mountain and the
in the rear of the temple.
If a monkey is aggressive
with you, look away - don't stare as that makes them
angry. If it jumps on you, just pull your face away and
hand it the food. Move slowly, I've never seen one bite
a person. 6. If you're coming for sunset you might
want to bring a flashlight for the trip down the steps.
It's safe to stay at after dark at the top but you will
need a flashlight since there are very few (sometimes
none) lights on the stairway. 7-11 sells small 60 baht
flashlights that work perfectly. Pick one up, you'll be
glad you did. It makes it easier to explore some of the
other caves in Krabi as well.
Important Phone numbers for your stay in Krabi
(Railay and all over Krabi province):
-
TAT (Tourism Authority of
Thailand) Regional Office: 07.562.2164
-
Krabi Tourist Police: 07.563.7208
-
Marine Police: 07.561.2756 and
2757
-
Krabi Airport 7 km east of Krabi
Town: 07.563.6541 and 6549
-
Immigration: 07.561.1097
-
Krabi Bus Terminal in Krabi Town:
07.561.1804 and 1184
-
Thai Airways International:
07.562.2439 and 2441 and 2442
-
Krabi town Hospital: 07.563.1768
and 1769
|
