Suan Mokhaphalaram Temple, better known as Suan Mok, is on Highway No. 41 approximately 50 km north of the provincial capital. Suan Mok is also known as Wat Than Nam Lai, meaning Monastery of Flowing Water. The monastic community is a forest temple covering an area of 150 acres. It is located in a beautiful and peaceful natural park setting where Buddhists go for meditation practice.

Bhikkhu Buddhadhasa, the founder of Suan Mok, is highly respected locally and internationally. Phra Buddhadhasa formed a particular movement of the study of Dharma and Vipassana meditation over 50 years ago to take Thai spirituality away from superstition and ritual and return it to its roots.

His "back-to-basics approach" reflects the form of Buddhism practiced by the Buddha's earliest disciples more than 2,500 years ago. The approach attracted Buddhist monks and lay meditators from many places including Europe, North, and South America, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

There are no extravagant ceremonial and elaborate chapels within the restful enclave. The temple contains several teaching pavilions decorated with many paintings and poems illustrating moral teachings known in Thai as 'Entertainment Houses for the Soul' or 'Spiritual Theater'.

The Spiritual Theater becomes a favorite sight for casual visitors. Bhikkhu Buddhadhasa describes it as a pictorial interpretation of Dharma. The building features an assorted mixture of Thai, Egyptian, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Tibetan and European-style murals and sculptures. The forest tranquility is ideal for a life of contemplation.

The wat and its grounds are dedicated to the study of Dharma and Vipassana meditation. It also houses a museum and library. Visitors can stay in guest quarters on site.

One can take a songtaew from Talaat Kaset 2 in Ban Don, Surat Thani. The songtaew takes about 45 minutes. Another choice is to take a share taxi from Surat Thani for 30 baht per person. You can get a taxi in Chaiya leaving from opposite the train station.

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