Wat Phra Thong or 'Temple of the Golden Buddha' is a historical temple located in the northern part of Phuket Island in Thailand. It is home to a half-buried Golden Buddha statue, which has a fascinating legend behind its origin. According to local lore, a young boy tied his buffalo to what he thought was a post sticking out of the ground. Shortly after, both the boy and the buffalo became deathly ill, which led to the discovery of the statue. Attempts to excavate the Buddha have been unsuccessful as those who tried were supposedly beset by misfortune, hence only the upper third of the statue is visible. The temple complex features traditional Thai architectural styles and is surrounded by lush gardens. Visitors can explore the main chapel, see various murals depicting Buddhist teachings, and visit the museum that displays a collection of historical artifacts. Wat Phra Thong holds a significant religious importance to locals who often come to pray and pay their respects.
