Family Meditation Retreat : Families can join the meditation retreat together, such as parents with children or children with elderly parents, and stay together throughout the entire course. Children and the elderly can have three meals a day (keeping the Five Precepts) and practice meditation at their own pace, while other participants will follow the regular meditation schedule.

Preparation and Schedule for the Meditation Retreat at Thudongkasathan Makkhanukawivek, Ko Phaluai, Ang Thong Archipelago, Surat Thani :

This retreat is focused on training and purifying the mind by practicing the Dharma. The course is designed to help participants reduce attachment and overcome personal desires. Before registering, it is important for participants to understand both the place and themselves.

Part 1: Understanding the Setting

This location is not a typical meditation center like the ones you may have visited before. There are no services or amenities provided. Please imagine a forest monastery:
You will be given a mat and a pillow — that’s truly all.
Upon arrival, you are expected to clean your own kuti (hut), sweep your area and shared spaces, clean shared bathrooms, and help maintain the dhamma hall.

There is no electricity in the kutis. The island relies on natural energy (solar power), so electricity is available only in essential areas.
Some kutis have private bathrooms (prioritized for key supporters), while others use shared bathrooms. The good news is that the toilets are modern, but due to the location on a mountain, water must be used sparingly.

So, please do not come expecting comfort or convenience.
This is an island, far from the mainland. The retreat site is located on a mountaintop, accessible only by off-road vehicles or a 2 km hike from the lower center.

You will be living in accordance with the environment, not demanding or expecting conveniences you are used to.
You do not need to bring a lot of personal items to maintain your usual way of life — if you are looking for that, it may be better to stay home or go somewhere else.

Let us emphasize: this is a place for self-discipline and letting go of attachments, to see things clearly in line with the ascetic practices (Dhutanga).
Please bring only the listed necessary items. Pack as if you were going camping.

Part 2: The Environment

Although the location has been developed as a retreat center, it remains surrounded by dense, untouched forest. The kutis are nestled in the woods and mountains.

Applicants must assess themselves honestly.
If you are easily frightened — by animals, ghosts, darkness, or silence — with only the sound of insects and nature at night, we advise you not to apply.
There is only one way off the island: taking the public ferry the next day.

This place was created for serious meditators who seek seclusion.
You may not even see others — only during chanting, meals, and dhamma talks.
Speaking is strictly prohibited.

If you have any chronic health conditions, please consider carefully:
Medical attention is difficult to access in emergencies. Even healthy individuals must remain mindful and cautious at all times to prevent accidents.

Part 3: Observing the Ascetic Practices

This place is for those who wish to train by observing Dhutanga practices, which help cut through attachments.

Participants must uphold at least 5 out of the 13 traditional ascetic practices, such as:

- Wearing robes made from discarded cloth

- Wearing only three robes

- Going on alms round

- Going on alms round in order (line formation)

- Eating one meal per day

- Eating from a single bowl

- Refusing food offered after the scheduled meal

- Living in the forest

- Living under a tree

- Living in the open air

- Living in a charnel ground

- Living in any shelter provided

- Not lying down (sitting/walking meditation only)

In the yellow section, 5 rules that yogis must hold when entering this place. As for the green section, it depends on the individual and occasion. As for the clothes that should be brought, no more than 4 sets per person. **You can wash your clothes at the temple.** (But if anyone will hold Thudongkwat section 2, bring only one set of clothes. You can shower, but use only one set.) No matter how many days you practice Dhamma.

This is just a suggestion to let you know the place roughly as information for applying. Don't go looking for friends to talk to. We will not be considerate of those who do not practice and still create embarrassment for those who want to escape practicing. This place was built by those who have the only intention of liberation. Therefore, for the benefit of those who want peace and solitude, this place is for training oneself, not for going to find new things in life or to have fun camping or hiking.