Looking for the Best Meditation or Spiritual Retreat Center in Southeast Asia (or Asia) – Seeking Healing & Guidance

[u/josh65928]

Hi everyone 🙏

I hope it’s okay to post here. I’m currently exploring the idea of joining a meditation or spiritual retreat somewhere in Southeast Asia (or anywhere in Asia, really) and I’d love to get some recommendations from those who’ve been on a similar path.

Last year, I went through a pretty difficult time mentally. I’ve been dealing with some emotional stress and have been searching for a way to reset, reconnect, and heal this year. I feel drawn to meditation and spiritual retreats as a way to do this. I’m not necessarily looking for luxury—just a genuine, peaceful space where I can go inward and grow.

So far, I’ve come across a few places:

• Pa Pae Meditation Retreat (Thailand)
• iMonastery (Thailand)
• Hariharalaya Retreat (Cambodia)

They all look beautiful, but I’d love to hear if anyone has personal experiences with these or knows of other similar retreats in Asia—especially ones that might offer something more private or 1-on-1 coaching. I’m a bit of an introvert, and while I don’t mind a small group, I’d really prefer a more personal, quieter setting if possible.

A little more about me:

• I’m from the Philippines, so anything somewhat accessible would be a plus, though I’m open to traveling further if it feels right.
• I’m hoping to do a retreat for 1-2 weeks, but open to staying longer (maybe even a month or more) depending on the experience.
• Budget-friendly options are definitely appreciated.

I’m coming into this with a humble heart and an open mind. I really just want to take a step toward healing and would deeply appreciate any suggestions, stories, or insight you might have.

Thank you so much in advance, and may your practice be peaceful. 🌱

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[u/OrcishMonk]

From my Guide to Retreat Centers & Dharma Teachings

Retreats in Thailand 

Doi Suthep International Meditation Center. Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai. Cooler as it’s on a mountain.Good for beginners. 

https://www.fivethousandyears.org/

Wat Chom Tong. Near Chiang Mai. 

https://www.watchomtong.com/

Pa Pae Center. Near Chiang Mai. Short meditation courses. Good for beginners. 

http://www.papaemeditation.org/en/

Wat Pa Tam Wa. Between Pai and Mae Hong Song. Good Google reviews. 

https://www.wattamwua.com/

Wat  Sopharam. Chiang Mai area, high Google reviews, Mahasi influenced but more relaxed. 

https://watsopharam.org

Wat Ram Poeng. Near Chiang Mai. Ajahn Tong style. 

http://www.watrampoeng.com/

Wat Pha Nanachat. Bung Wai, NE Thailand. Highly reviewed but it's also a working wat organized for westerners who are interested in becoming monks. 

https://www.watpahnanachat.org/

Wat Subtawee Dhammaram Monastery. NE Thailand, close to Khao Yai park. Good reviews, Ajahn Ganha, relation of Ajahn Chah is here.

http://www.watpahsubthawee.org

Angthong International Meditation Center. Pa Auk style. Champa Lo, Ang thong

https://www.paaukthailand.org/en/home-en/

Boonkanjanaram Meditation Center. Pattaya. Good for advanced meditators. 

 http://boonkan.com/

https://m.facebook.com/boonkanpattaya/

Email: boonkanmeditationcenter@gmail.com

Thai Plum Village. In tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. Ban Sa Sai Sai, Pong Ta Long, about 240 km northeast of Bangkok.

http://www.thaiplumvillage.org/

Kow Tahm International Meditation Center. Koh Phangan. Monthly ten day courses.

http://watkowtahm.org/

The Sanctuary. Beach yoga. Koh Phangan.

https://www.thesanctuarythailand.com/

Blooming Lotus Yoga Center. Koh Phangan. 

http://www.thailandyoga.net/yoga-retreats-thailand/thailand-yoga-retreat

Dipabhavan Meditation Center. Koh Samui. Monthly ten day courses

https://dipabhavan.weebly.com/

Wat Suan Mokh. Chaiye, close to Surat Thani. Monthly ten day courses. 

https://www.suanmokkh.org/retreats

Little Bang has more options for retreats in Thailand. See

http://www.littlebang.org/retreats-2/

Retreats in Malaysia

Malaysia Buddhist Meditation Center (MBMC). Penang. Mahasi-style. 

https://www.mbmcmalaysia.org/

Vivekavana. Bukit Mertajam, Penang. 

http://vivekavana.com/

Bodhi Heart. Penang. 

http://www.bodhihearts.net/

Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary (SBS). Taiping. 

https://sasanarakkha.org/

Full Guide with other countries here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cGTI8-M-XQQTSnMyqBRiskpFLMapc-FfO1S-2wxHYXw/edit?usp=drivesdk

[u/josh65928 → u/OrcishMonk]

Wow thank you so much for this! I will look in to all of them! Appreciate it!

[u/OrcishMonk → u/josh65928]

I don't know of any place that matches for extensive 1-1. The place you mention in Cambodia seems like an expensive wellness retreat.

If you go to Chiang Mai, there's multiple places you can check out: Doi Suthep, Pa Pae, Imonastery, and Wat Pa Tam Wa,Wat Sopharam.

[u/jexy86]

I've been to a fair bit of retreats in Thailand.

North Thailand

Pa Pae was decent. Its short but structured decent if you're a beginner. Amazing location and you can stay after the scheduled course if you choose.

Wat Pa Tam is okay if you have an established practice as instructions there were quite bare boned.

Wat Chom Tong is good, A noting style retreat with daily instructions with a teacher. This course is 21 days.

South Thailand

Wat Suan Mokh is based on anapanasati. Fairly intense 10 day retreat.

Dipabhavan Meditation Center is the same as above. But I believe it was a 6 day retreat. Also an amazing location

Boonkanjanaram Meditation Center in pattaya. If you have an established practice this place is good. Last time I went they had no teachers.

All the above retreats mentioned are donation based

[u/josh65928 → u/jexy86]

Thank you so much for the info!

[u/Donovan_Volk]

Heading to Pa Pae in a few weeks, I'll let you know how it is.