Wat Uthaitham Viewpoint

 
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Mq2c8vBuPQbqNV4CA

Wat Uthaitham can be found just 2km along the main road out of Chumphon town. The entrance to the Wat is on the right and has this impressive archway.
Follow the road into the temple complex until you see the big car park in front of the large prayer hall.
The prayer hall looks newly built.
To the right of the prayer hall, through the trees, is Thalom hill. On the eastern side of the hill, in front of the school buildings, you will find a set of steps up to the viewpoint. Not easy to find as the steps are blocked by this building which is being used as a fancy garage.
Walk through the 'garage' and you will find the steps. Serpents form the handrails.
At the top of these steps you will come to a small cave which has been made into a place of worship.
The 'Caves & Caving in Thailand' website has referenced this as Cave No.  CP0061.
Enter the cave and to your left you will find further steps.
At the top of theses steps is a natural landing. To your left there is another of set of concrete steps which leads to this steel spiral staircase.
A series of further steps will take you up to the summit where there is a large Stupa.
A Stupa is a Buddhist commemorative monument usually housing sacred relics associated with the Buddha or other saintly persons. On a visit in 2018 the Stupa was still under construction and it was possible to see the stainless holding vessel for the relics within. This his now been blocked in and a small Buddha image has been placed at the entrance.
Around the Stupa platforms have been built to take in the views. This is the view towards the north. The middle hill you see is Phankrai where there is also a viewpoint where you can look back to the stupa.
The view looking eastwards towards Chumphon town. The big building is the Makro warehouse.
The view to the south.
At the back of the Stupa it was possible to look westwards across the Asia highway but since this photo was taken (2022) the trees have grown blocking the view.
Back at ground level you can find pathways taking around the base of the hill. Really nice area to explore. Very natural.
You will find a couple of small caves.

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