Chainat Temples - Wats

Chainat

Wat Pak Khlong Makham Thao

This is an old temple situated at the mouth of Khlong Makham Thao, which runs into the Tha Chin River at Amphoe Wat Sing, 25 kilometres northwest of Chainat. The shady temple offers pleasant scenery and houses mural paintings made by Krom Luang Chumphon Khet Udomsak, the father of the Thai navy.

Wat Phra Borommathat Worawihan

This is an old temple on the bank of the Chao Phraya River. Located 4 kilometres from the town, it can be accessible by Route Nos. 340 and 3183. There is an old pagoda housing Lord Buddhas relics. It had been originally constructed with laterite in the Khmer period and was renovated in the Ayutthaya and Rattanakosin periods.

Within the precincts of the temple is the Chainat Muni National Museum which displays several kinds of artifacts discovered in the town including Buddha images of different postures, as well as Thai and Chinese ceramics. It also exhibits various types of votive tablets.

Wat Phichaiyanawat (Wat Ban Chian)

It is an ancient temple located at Tambon Ban Chian, 38 kilometres from the provincial town of Chai Nat. Proceed via Highway No. 3211 to Km. 2 - 3. It is presumed to have been built in the mid-Ayutthaya period, dating back to at least 300 years ago. The ordination hall or Phra Ubosot built in the middle of the pond enshrined the principle Buddha image of Luangpho To, which is in the posture of accepting offerings from an elephant and a monkey. Made of stucco, the image is sitting in the European style and measures 4.54 metres in height. It is presumed that while creating Luangpho To’s image, the city was in turmoil from a war with the Burmese, who marched through this area. The annual gild ceremony or covering the Buddha image with gold leaf takes place during Magha Puja Day and the Loi Krathong Festival.

Wat Phra Kaeo

Situated at Mu 10, Tambon Phraek Si Racha, which is about 23 kilometres off the provincial town of Chai Nat, Wat Phra Kaeo is another ancient temple housing a beautiful square-based stupa. Within the temple ground also houses a high stupa in a harmonious blend of the Lawo and late Dvaravati styles, as well as a relic chamber with a recessed base in the Sukhothai and Sri Vijaya styles. In front of the stupa stands a Buddha image hall known as Wihan Luangpho Chai, where a delicately carved sandstone lintel was found at the back of the image. This lintel depicts an image of the God Indra riding the elephant named Erawan inside a stylized shelter in a distinctive Khmer style, which dates back to more than 1,000 years ago. It is believed that at the decline of the Khmer empire, someone must have taken this artefact from somewhere and carved the Buddha image out of it. However, the head of the elephant is overturned, its trunk pointing upward, as a riddle that in order to be enlightened like the Lord Buddha “one must overcome greed, hatred, and ignorance to find true happiness.”

Wat Intharam

This is an old temple, about 100 years old, Located by the Chao Phraya River in Tambon Taluk, Amphoe Sapphaya, 12 kilometres east of Chainat. Outstanding old structures in the temple include twin belfries and a hall for keeping scriptures. The latter, situated in the middle of a pond, has been constructed with elaborate decorative designs.

Wat Mahathat

This is an old temple of Mueang Phraek or Mueang San which was an ancient city dating back to the Dvaravati period. Sankhaburi had been also an important fort town of the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya Kingdoms. It is located by the Noi River, 20 kilometres southeast of Chainat along Route No. 340. The temple houses ruined chapels with seated Buddha images and a distinguish Lop Buri style chedi with a fluted spire like the petal of a star apple.

Wat Klai Kangwon or Khao Saraphat Si Charoen Tham

It is located at Tambon Ban Chian, 48 kilometres from the provincial town of Chai Nat. Proceed via Highway No. 3211 onto Hankha Intersection. Take a left turn for another 4 kilometres and the temple is on the right hand side. Turn right about 1.7 kilometres further and you will come across a concrete fence measuring 5,000 metres in length enclosing the temple. An ancient temple dated back to the Lop Buri period, Wat Klai Kangwon was deserted for sometime but has later undergone major restoration in 1967. On top of the hill sees ruins of an ordination hall and the Lord Buddha’s footprints, as well as, a panoramic view of the area. There is the annual Tak Bat Devo ceremony, which literally means offering of food to Buddhist monks. The celebration is an imitation of Lord Buddha’s descent from heaven, and takes place after the Buddhist Rains Retreat.

Wat Song Phi Nong

It is located 300 metres from Wat Phra Mahathat. Legend has it that Chao Sam, one of the three siblings, incited the other two siblings named Chao Ai and Chao Yi against each other for the throne. Both Chao Ai and Chao Yi died and Chao Sam became the ruler. Chao Sam then built one prang and one chedi for his late brothers. Both are presumed to have been built 600 years before the establishment of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.

Wat Thammamun

This hillside temple is located on the bank of the Chao Phraya River, 8 kilometres from Chainat. It was constructed during the Ayutthaya period and enshrines Luang Pho Thammachak, a standing Buddha image with a mixture of the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya styles. Two fairs to worship the image are held in May and October.

Wat Karuna

Located near the Chao Phraya Dam, this temple houses a large sandstone Buddha image namely Phra Phutthamaha Sila, which is highly revered by the local people of Chainat.