Inner Peace
Journey
The path to inner peace,
true well-being of the mind.
Meditation cultivates mindfulness and concentration, helping us let go, calm the mind, and find true happiness beyond external factors. In a fast-paced world, it offers a sanctuary to reconnect with oneself.
Thailand hosts many meditation retreats, from traditional Vipassana temples to modern centers for today’s seekers. Whether for beginners or seasoned practitioners, these places provide rest, renewal, and balance.
Wat Pa Tham Wua
Mae Hong Son
A Sanctuary of Serenity in the Hills
Tucked away in the mountainous landscape of Mae Hong Son, Wat Pa Tham Wua is a serene meditation retreat embraced by forests and hills. This peaceful sanctuary is the ideal place to disconnect from the noise of the world and reconnect with oneself in the heart of nature.
The monastery was founded by Phra Kru Wimol Phawananuson (Luang Ta Saiyut), a Thai monk who once journeyed on foot across the country, studied abroad, and is fluent in delivering Dhamma talks in English. Thanks to this accessibility and his gentle yet profound teachings, Wat Pa Tham Wua has become especially popular among foreign practitioners. It has even been voted by leading travel websites as one of the best meditation retreats in the world.
The practice here follows the “Middle Way”—not too strict and not too relaxed—making it suitable for both beginners and those seeking to deepen their mindfulness without needing prior experience.
Visitors can join the retreat for a day or stay overnight, free of charge. The monastery provides accommodation and meals, but participants are expected to follow the daily schedule with discipline. Activities typically include walking meditation, sitting Vipassana meditation, chanting, Dhamma talks, and light temple duties. All of these are designed to cultivate a deeper understanding of the Dhamma and lead to true inner peace.
You can join the meditation practice for a day trip (morning to evening) or stay overnight for up to 10 days, free of charge.
08 1031 3326
Wat Umong
Chiang Mai
A Sanctuary of Serenity in Chiang Mai
Located at the base of Doi Suthep, Wat Umong is a 700-year-old forest monastery known for its tranquil atmosphere and Vipassana meditation practice since the Lanna era. Its most unique feature is the ancient underground tunnels, built beneath a large chedi to provide monks with a quiet meditation space.
Visitors can explore the tunnels and enjoy the serene surroundings, which offer a natural retreat from the city's bustle. The temple also features Buddhist philosophy exhibitions, presenting wisdom in an accessible way, similar to Suan Mokkh Phalaram. For those seeking a deeper experience, Vipassana courses are available, making Wat Umong a perfect place for both peaceful visits and dedicated meditation practice.
Suthep, Mueang District, Chiang Mai
04:00 - 20:00
Meditation course started at 2 days 1 night.
Food & Facility fee per day 220 THB.
0 5381 0965, 09 1071 8209, 08 5033 3809
Wat Phra That Pha Sorn Kaew
Phetchabun
Practicing Dhamma amidst the mountain
Nestled amidst Phetchabun’s mountains, this sacred site is steeped in legend. Villagers once saw a radiant crystal orb vanish into the forest, believed to signal the presence of Buddha’s relics. Over time, Pha Son Kaew became a meditation retreat, drawing practitioners seeking inner peace.
Today, the temple features striking pagodas, Buddha images, and halls adorned with colorful tiles and exquisite Benjarong porcelain, forming shimmering mosaics. Beyond its artistry, the temple offers a serene space for spiritual reflection.
For those seeking a deeper meditative experience, the temple offers dedicated mindfulness retreats designed for genuine spiritual practice. Programs such as the ‘Living with Awareness’ retreat (4 days, 3 nights) and the ‘Solitude’ retreat (5 days, 4 nights) provide participants with the opportunity to immerse themselves in Buddhist meditation and mindfulness training within a secluded and tranquil space, separate from the main temple grounds.
Phuket Meditation Center
Phuket Province
Amidst the vibrant tourism scene of Phuket, this meditation center offers a retreat for those seeking inner peace and personal growth. Founded by Tobi Warzinek, a practitioner of Tibetan spiritual traditions, it serves as a space for self-discovery and restoring balance between mind and body.
Designed for accessibility, the practice here requires no prior experience. It can be tailored to suit each individual's needs—whether it's an introduction to meditation, mindfulness in daily life, or deeper practices that bring about profound inner transformation.
Phuket Meditation Center offers courses in comfortable resort settings and, at times, organizes immersive retreats in the island’s stunning natural landscapes. This makes the experience more than just a meditation session—it becomes a journey that harmonizes the mind and body with nature. More than just a getaway, this is an opportunity to embark on a path toward a more balanced and meaningful life.
Chalong, Mueang District, Phuket Province
There are both free 1–2 hour meditation courses and longer 5-day courses.
0 87279 7655
Suan Mokkh
Surat Thani Province
Suan Mokkhphalaram is a spiritual retreat founded by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, a revered Thai monk who revolutionized the way Dhamma was communicated—making it simple, direct, and universally accessible. His teachings emphasize a return to the core essence of Buddhism: uncomplicated, unembellished, and profoundly meaningful.
Suan Mokkh is a space for “being with nature and the Dhamma,” much like in the time of the Buddha, when spiritual practice took place in natural forest settings. Scattered throughout the grounds are signs displaying the words of Buddhadasa—short, powerful reflections that invite visitors to pause, contemplate, and reconnect with themselves.
One of the few structures within the retreat is the “Spiritual Theatre,” a hall that houses murals and visual teachings depicting symbolic interpretations of Dhamma. These illustrations serve as a gateway into deep, yet approachable, Buddhist philosophy—ideal for those visiting briefly.
For those seeking a more immersive experience, Suan Mokkh offers 10-day meditation retreats, where participants can engage in a silent, disciplined environment designed to cultivate mindfulness and insight from within.
7:00 – 17:00
The meditation course at Suan Mokkh Phalaram is held from the 1st to the 11th of every month. Participants are required to attend the full duration of the course. A fee of 2,000 baht is charged to cover meals and accommodation. Advance registration is required.
0 7743 1661
Buddhadasa Indapanno Archives
Bangkok
Known as Suan Mokkh Bangkok, is a peaceful and green meditation center in the heart of the city. Despite being in a bustling metropolis, it offers a unique atmosphere distinct from traditional temples and retreat centers. Its modern, open, and airy design fosters natural mindfulness and meditation practice.
As a branch of Suan Mokkh Phalaram in Surat Thani, it was established to preserve the teachings of Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, emphasizing self-guided practice in a supportive environment. A highlight here is the “Nibbana for Tasting” meditation room, where visitors can experience deep tranquility through Vipassana practice.
Additionally, the Buddhadasa Archives serve as a hub of Buddhist knowledge, featuring a library with his works and a wide range of Buddhist literature. Open to all, it offers a space for study, reflection, and a deeper understanding of the Dhamma through both reading and practice.
The curved stone courtyard, modeled after Suan Mokkhaphalaram in Surat Thani Province, is a place for simple and humble Dharma teachings.
The 'Nibbana for Testing' Room is a peaceful space for self-practice meditation to try to enter the state of Nirvana.
Suan Mokkh Bangkok is a place that emphasizes self-practice meditation in a suitable environment.
Library and bookstore that collects the Dharma works of Buddhadasa Indapanno.
A model of "Shaking the Dharma Eyes", which is one of the Dharma puzzles.
Udon Thani
A City of Forest Monasteries and Meditation Retreats
Udon Thani is a central hub for the forest monastic tradition in Northeastern Thailand, home to several renowned meditation retreats. These forest monasteries provide a profound environment for those seeking to cultivate mindfulness and immerse themselves in the teachings of Theravāda Buddhism. Following the path of Luang Pu Mun Bhuridatta Thera, the revered founder of the Thai forest tradition, these monasteries emphasize simplicity, self-discipline, and mindfulness in every aspect of daily life.
Practicing meditation in Udon Thani’s forest monasteries offers an opportunity to step away from the distractions of daily life and reconnect with inner peace. The journey to these meditation retreats is not only a deep exploration of Buddhist teachings but also a transformative path toward true tranquility and self-discovery.
Founded by the highly revered Luangta Maha Bua Yannasampanno, Wat Pa Ban Tat is a strict meditation retreat dedicated to mindfulness and concentration. Visitors who come here will have the opportunity to study and practice the teachings of Luangta Maha Bua, which follow the discipline of the Thai forest tradition.
Nestled in the serene mountains of Udon Thani, Wat Pa Phu Kon is a spiritual sanctuary built to promote Buddhist practice and meditation. Its most striking feature is the magnificent reclining Buddha, "Phra Phuttha Saiyat Lokanatha Sasada Muni," crafted from exquisite white marble imported from Italy. The temple’s architecture, with its distinctive blue-roofed ordination hall, blends harmoniously with the surrounding forested hills, offering a tranquil setting ideal for meditation. Visitors can take in the panoramic views of the lush landscape and experience the profound serenity that permeates the temple grounds.
A strict meditation retreat, Wat Pa Nakham Noi is deeply rooted in the Thai forest monastic tradition. The monastery offers a peaceful and natural environment, ideal for those seeking to cultivate mindfulness and develop insight through intensive meditation practice.
Also known as Aram Bhavana Bodhiyan, Wat Na Luang is a meditation center known for its beautiful architecture and peaceful ambiance. It provides structured meditation programs following the rigorous practices of the Thai forest tradition, allowing practitioners to cultivate mindfulness in a
Wat Pa Nong Phue is historically significant as a meditation retreat where Luang Pu Mun Bhuridatta Thera once resided and taught his disciples. The monastery preserves the strict meditative practices of the Thai forest tradition and continues to be a destination for serious practitioners seeking to deepen their understanding of Buddhist teachings.
Situated within a natural cave, this temple provides a unique meditation environment infused with a deep sense of reverence and serenity. The cave’s tranquil atmosphere makes it an ideal place for practitioners to engage in deep contemplation and mindfulness.
A quiet and well-maintained forest monastery, Wat Pa Somphonas is an excellent place for practicing meditation and mindfulness. With its simple yet serene surroundings, the monastery provides an ideal space for inner reflection and spiritual development.
Sound Healing
The Resonance of Inner Peace
Though not rooted in any particular religion, sound healing has become a widely embraced path to emotional and mental well-being. It is a gentle yet powerful practice that uses "sound" as a medium to release stress, ease anxiety, and guide us toward a deeper sense of inner calm.
A typical sound healing session begins with simply closing the eyes—shutting off the visual sense to heighten auditory awareness. Seated or lying in a comfortable position, participants are invited to surrender to waves of sound produced by various healing instruments. These may include crystal singing bowls, which emit pure, resonant tones believed to align with the body’s energy centers; or the handpan, a dome-shaped metal instrument known for its soft, flowing, and meditative harmonies.
These sounds gradually resonate through the body—carried by air vibrations and perceived through the nervous system—helping the mind to slow down and turn inward. In this stillness, we may begin to perceive buried thoughts, long-held emotions, or forgotten memories with renewed clarity and awareness.
Sound healing offers a rare opportunity to truly listen—not to the world around us, but to the subtle voice within. In a fast-moving world, it stands as a simple yet transformative experience for those seeking peace, introspection, and gentle healing.
Pai Yoga Shala
08 5546 3665
