Wat Khao Takiab occupies the summit and slopes of Khao Takiab — Chopstick Hill — the distinctive promontory that marks the southern end of Jomtien Beach. The hill is named for its shape, visible from the beach as a narrow rocky peak rising from the flat coastal plain. The temple complex covers much of the hillside, its buildings, shrines and Buddha images distributed across multiple levels connected by staircases that wind through forested slopes.
The temple is famous among visitors for its large population of long-tailed macaques — monkeys that roam the temple grounds in large numbers, conditioned by generations of offerings from worshippers and tourists. They are bold, organised and entirely comfortable with human presence, which makes them entertaining to observe and occasionally difficult to manage. Any food or drink carried openly is subject to rapid confiscation.
The hilltop is crowned by a large standing Buddha image visible from Jomtien Beach and from boats offshore, serving as a landmark for the southern approach to the Pattaya coastline. Smaller shrines and spirit houses are distributed across the hillside, each with its own resident community of monkeys and regular visitors making offerings.
The views from the summit across Jomtien Beach, the offshore islands and the Gulf of Thailand are among the best accessible viewpoints on this stretch of coast. The combination of genuine religious significance, extraordinary wildlife, and exceptional coastal views makes Wat Khao Takiab one of the most visited temple sites in the Pattaya area — and one of the most memorable.
"Monkeys, a standing Buddha and the best view of the Gulf coast — Chopstick Hill has been watching over Jomtien for over a century"
Historical Note
Wat Khao Takiab was established in 1887, making it one of the older religious sites in the Bang Lamung district. The temple predates the development of Jomtien Beach as a resort area by nearly a century, and the macaque population it supports has been present for at least several generations — their relationship with the temple community is one of the older human-wildlife arrangements on the eastern Gulf coast.