Have you ever seen hundreds of monkeys playing together? Welcome to Khao To Sae also known as Monkey Hill in Phuket. This isn’t just any hill. It’s a lively habitat for hundreds of macaques. They are mostly near the top. Local people often visit to feed them. Khao To Sae is the hill with the radio masts. You can easily spot it from the south of the island. It’s about 270 meters above sea level. It’s not really a tourist attraction. You can drive up in a car. Some people exercise there. However be warned a tourist was bitten by a monkey there a few years ago.
Khao To Sae is more than just monkeys though. Near the bottom of the hill there’s a colorful shrine. It’s dedicated to three holy spirits Toh Sae Dam Toh Sae Dang and Toh Sae Kaow. Many locals visit to ask for lottery numbers. The shrine is built into the hillside. It’s surrounded by tropical foliage. It features tigers and monkeys. Interestingly the figures have Islamic crescent and stars. This blends Buddhist or Chinese elements with Islamic ones.
A few years ago a viewing platform was added near the top. It offers stunning views of Phuket Town. The views are better on the way up than at the peak. That’s because of the TV and radio stations at the top. They obscure the views from the summit. Still you can see Phuket’s port the Andaman Sea and the coastal town from various points along the way up. The road up Khao To Sae is quite steep. The road is closed to traffic from 5 pm to 8 pm. That gives people time to walk up for sunset views. A roundtrip walk takes about two hours. It depends on fitness level.
At the bottom of Khao To Sae is a restaurant called Green Forest. It offers reasonably priced Thai food. It also boasts great views.
So next time you’re in Phuket Town. Don’t just stick to the beaches. Venture up Khao To Sae. Experience the unique blend of nature culture and a touch of the unexpected. Remember to be respectful of the monkeys. Enjoy the spectacular views and discover the intriguing history of this special hill.