Wat Pa Tam Wua is a Buddhist forest monastery in the Theravada Thai Forest tradition. It offers guidance to anyone who wants to practise meditation seriously in a quiet, natural monastic setting.
The monastery lies among the mountains of Mae Hong Son in Northern Thailand, surrounded by green forest, with a stream, natural caves and a waterfall close by.
It is beside Highway 1095 between Pai and Mae Hong Son, about 37 km from Mae Hong Son town. Wat Pa Tam Wua is a peaceful place for meditation, refuge and self-discovery.
Wild flowers and orchids, the waterfall, streams and mountains give the monastery a calm natural setting for practice.
Meditation practice
We offer guidance in Vipassana meditation, the main practice here, together with mindfulness of breathing, which helps to calm and steady the mind (Samatha). People come to practise from many countries, and both beginners and experienced meditators are welcome. Practice combines walking, sitting and lying-down meditation, with some flexibility in method.
Monks give meditation instruction in Thai and English, and explain the Buddha’s teaching on the nature of body and mind in a way that suits lay practitioners.
Stay and practice
Guests stay in small single kutis (huts) or in dormitories, assigned on arrival according to availability. The monastery serves two vegetarian meals a day. There is no evening meal; tea, coffee and hot chocolate are served in the evening instead.
Staying at Wat Pa Tam Wua is free for everyone who comes to practise. The monastery is supported by donations and volunteers — read why the stay is free. This is a working monastery, not a hotel or resort: guests are asked to practise with discipline, follow the daily timetable, keep the monastery rules and keep their living space clean and tidy.
Planning your first stay? The meditation retreat guide explains the daily routine, accommodation, food and what to bring.
Map of Wat Pa Tam Wua
You are warmly welcome
to stay and practise with us at Wat Pa Tam Wua!
How to get hereFrequently Asked Questions
Is Wat Pa Tam Wua free to visit?
Yes. Accommodation, vegetarian meals, white clothes and bedding are provided free of charge. The monastery is supported by donations and volunteer work, and giving is voluntary.
Do I need to be Buddhist to stay at Wat Pa Tam Wua?
Not at all. People of all faiths — Christian, Muslim, Hindu, atheist or any other — are welcome. We simply ask that you respect the Buddhist monastic environment during your stay.
Where exactly is Wat Pa Tam Wua located?
The monastery is located on Highway 1095 between Pai and Mae Hong Son in Northern Thailand, approximately 37 kilometres from Mae Hong Son town.
How long can I stay?
Residential guests usually stay 3–10 days. The monastery recommends staying at least 3 days and 2 nights, and ten days is the usual maximum. Longer stays are exceptions considered at the monastery, often for guests making a sustained practical contribution, such as long-term volunteers.
If you only have a day, you can join the morning class (08:00) or the afternoon class (12:50) and leave afterwards.
What is Vipassana meditation?
Vipassana is insight meditation — a practice of observing the true nature of mind and body. It is the main form of meditation taught at Wat Pa Tam Wua, practised in walking, sitting and lying-down postures.
Are children allowed at the monastery?
Yes, children may visit with a parent or guardian who supervises them. The monastery does not recommend bringing children under 4, and the guardian is responsible for keeping them quiet during meditation sessions.
What should I bring with me?
Bring your original passport (Thai visitors: original Thai ID card), a towel and toiletries, any medication you need and any allergy-safe food you rely on, modest clothes for travelling, a warm layer for cool mornings, rain protection in the wet season, mosquito repellent, a torch, a charger, and cash or another way to pay for transport and personal purchases.
White clothes, a mattress, pillow and blankets are provided; you may also wear your own suitable white clothing. A small shop on site carries some basic toiletries.
Is there Wi-Fi at the monastery?
Limited Wi-Fi is available. Phones are not taken away, but keep them silent during classes and chanting. We encourage guests to use their stay as a chance to reduce screen time and deepen their practice, but it is your choice.