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Wat Matchimawat, Songkhla - Things to Do at Wat Matchimawat

Things to Do at Wat Matchimawat

Complete Guide to Wat Matchimawat in Songkhla

About Wat Matchimawat

Wat Matchimawat sits in the old quarter of Songkhla, a working temple that locals still call Wat Klang, the temple in the middle, because for centuries it was the spiritual centre of the town. You approach through a wooden gate flanked by faded guardian figures, and the first thing that hits you is the smell: frangipani from the courtyard trees, charcoal smoke drifting from a nearby food stall, and the faint mustiness of old teak warming in the southern Thai sun. The compound is larger than you'd expect for a temple this far off the tourist trail, with whitewashed walls enclosing a quiet rectangle of swept sand and shade. The main viharn is what brings the few visitors who do make it here. Its interior walls are covered in murals from the early Rattanakosin period, painted in the soft mineral tones, ochre, indigo, jade, that have faded into something more contemplative than vivid. You'll find yourself leaning in close to make out the details: scenes from the Jataka tales, processions of nobles, glimpses of nineteenth-century Songkhla life with Chinese junks in the harbour and ladies in traditional southern dress. The light filters through small high windows, and the temple cats, there are always temple cats, sprawl across the cool stone floor. Wat Matchimawat tends to feel undiscovered, which is part of its character. Monks shuffle between the kuti and the main hall, school groups occasionally file through, and there's a small temple museum in a side building that almost no one visits. It's the kind of place where you can spend an hour and have the whole murals chamber to yourself, which is increasingly rare for a temple of this historical weight.

What to See & Do

The Viharn Murals

The painted walls of the main viharn are the reason to come. Up close, you can see the cracked plaster, the gold leaf that's flaked away in patches, and the remarkably detailed depictions of old Songkhla, Chinese merchant ships, market scenes, women carrying baskets on shoulder poles. The murals wrap around the entire interior, so plan to walk slowly along all four walls.

The Ordination Hall (Ubosot)

Smaller and more intimate than the viharn, the ubosot has a beautifully carved wooden door frame and a principal Buddha image in the southern Thai style, slightly different proportions than what you'd see in Bangkok. The sema stones marking the consecrated ground are still in place around the perimeter.

Temple Museum

A modest building near the back of the compound houses an unexpectedly impressive collection: old manuscripts on palm leaves, ceremonial objects, faded photographs of Songkhla from the early twentieth century. Hours can be irregular. But if a caretaker is around they'll usually unlock it for you.

The Chedi and Surrounding Courtyard

A whitewashed chedi rises behind the viharn, surrounded by smaller stupas and a grove of old trees. Mid-afternoon, the shadows stretch across the swept sand and the whole courtyard feels suspended in time. Worth a slow walk around the perimeter.

Chinese-Influenced Architectural Details

Look for the Chinese touches in the rooflines, the ceramic tile work, and the guardian figures at the gates. Songkhla had strong trading links with southern China, and the temple's nineteenth-century renovations brought in Chinese craftsmen whose fingerprints are everywhere if you know to look.

Practical Information

Opening Hours

Roughly 8am to 5pm daily, though the murals chamber sometimes closes earlier if no monks are around to supervise. Mornings tend to be cooler and the light through the windows is at its best around 9-10am.

Tickets & Pricing

Free entry, as with most working temples in Thailand. A donation in the box near the main Buddha image is appreciated, modest amounts are the norm.

Best Time to Visit

Weekday mornings are quietest. Avoid Buddhist holy days if you want a contemplative visit, though those days are interesting in their own right if you don't mind sharing the space with worshippers. The hot season (March-May) makes the courtyard punishing by midday. The cooler months from November to February are the comfortable window.

Suggested Duration

Forty-five minutes to an hour and a half, depending on how long you spend with the murals. Art-history-minded visitors could easily lose two hours.

Getting There

Wat Matchimawat is in the old town of Songkhla, walkable from most guesthouses in the historic quarter. If you're coming from Hat Yai (about 30km away), the easiest option is a minivan from the Hat Yai bus terminal to Songkhla, they run frequently throughout the day and the fare is budget-friendly. Once in Songkhla, songthaews and motorbike taxis can drop you at the temple gate. The ride from the main pier or Samila Beach is short and cheap. Drivers know the temple by its older name, Wat Klang, so try that if Wat Matchimawat doesn't register.

Things to Do Nearby

Songkhla National Museum
Housed in a beautiful nineteenth-century Sino-Portuguese mansion just a few minutes' walk away. The architecture alone is worth the visit, and the collections give useful context for what you've just seen at the temple.
Songkhla Old Town (Nang Ngam Road)
The historic street with its mix of Chinese shophouses, street art, and old bakeries pairs beautifully with a temple visit. Stop for a coffee at one of the heritage cafes and you'll get a sense of how the temple fits into Songkhla's wider story.
Samila Beach and the Mermaid Statue
About 10 minutes by motorbike taxi. After the quiet introspection of the temple, the breezy seafront and the famous golden mermaid make for a nice contrast. Late afternoon is the local hour for strolling there.
Khao Tang Kuan
The hill overlooking Songkhla with a small chedi at the top and panoramic views across the lagoon. A short tram ride climbs most of the way up. Pairs well with the temple as a half-day cultural-and-views combo.
Hub Ho Hin Mill
An old rice mill turned heritage site near the waterfront, with industrial architecture that tells the trading-port story of nineteenth-century Songkhla. A short walk from Wat Matchimawat.

Tips & Advice

Bring a small torch or use your phone's flashlight, the murals are in a dim interior and details emerge dramatically with a bit of raking light. Just be respectful and don't shine it near anyone praying.
Cover shoulders and knees. Simple rule. The temple is calmer than Bangkok's big wats. Yet it remains an active place of worship. Caretakers will politely guide you out if you arrive in beachwear. Respect earns quiet smiles.
If the museum door looks locked, walk to the kuti and ask nicely. Someone almost always appears with a key for the curious. Drop a small donation afterwards. That is the customary thank you.
Schedule this stop with the National Museum next door. Do not squeeze it between beach hours. Together they narrate old Songkhla and reward an unhurried morning. Slow travel pays off.
Sundays draw local families and merit-makers. The mood shifts from quiet to communal. Experience it once. Come on a weekday if you want the murals alone. Silence amplifies color.

Tours & Activities at Wat Matchimawat

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