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Monkeys at Tiger Cave Temple

How to avoid food theft and unsafe wildlife encounters. This guide concerns Wat Tham Suea in Krabi, Thailand, not the similarly named temple in Kanchanaburi. Conditions, site instructions and transport options can change, so check locally before setting out.

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About Wat Tham Suea in Krabi

Wat Tham Suea, also known as Tiger Cave Temple, is an active Buddhist monastery in Krabi. The cave worship areas, Thai religious architecture and forested limestone setting form one connected sacred landscape. The monastery community oversees religious practice and on-site visitor instructions; follow current signs and guidance while visiting.

From the lower cave shrines to the exposed golden Buddha viewpoint, the visitor experience changes dramatically with elevation. Ground-level architecture and worship spaces deserve time even for travellers who choose not to climb the steep summit staircase.

Main site Wat Tham Suea, Krabi

Visit type Temple visitor guide

Terrain Steep stairs or road transfers

Navigation Tiger Cave Temple, Krabi

Keep a distance

Macaques may approach people around the grounds and stairs. Do not touch, chase or feed them.

Secure possessions

Keep food out of sight and zip bags closed. Avoid dangling plastic bags, drinks or shiny loose objects.

If a monkey approaches

Stay calm, avoid staring or cornering it, and slowly give it space. Do not fight over an item.

After a bite or scratch

Wash the wound thoroughly and seek urgent medical advice for assessment; animal bites can require preventive treatment.

Suggested walking route & order of stops

Zip snacks into your bag before reaching the grounds; walk past monkeys calmly and keep a wide berth on narrow steps.

Architecture, landscape & photography viewpoints

Use a longer lens for animal photos. Never move closer to obtain a portrait or set food out to attract an animal.

Before you go: practical checklist

A bite or scratch warrants immediate wound washing and prompt professional medical advice.

Photographs of the Krabi temple

These photographs show Wat Tham Suea itself. For itineraries with other destinations, see the destination-specific map below; images of separate attractions are not implied.

Visitors on the steep Tiger Cave Temple stairway — Wat Tham Suea, Krabi

Steep stairway through the forest — Wat Tham Suea, Krabi

Temple stairway winding through limestone forest — Wat Tham Suea, Krabi

Location & directions

Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple), Krabi — The original temple location in Krabi, not the similarly named temple in Kanchanaburi.

View this destination on Google Maps ↗

Frequently asked questions

Can children feed the monkeys?

No. Feeding encourages animals to approach people and can lead to bites or snatching.

Where is the correct Wat Tham Suea?

This guide is for Tiger Cave Temple in Krabi. Use the destination-specific Google Maps link on this page to avoid confusing it with Wat Tham Suea in Kanchanaburi.