Wat Pan Thao was built around the beginning of the Buddhist year 1934, which makes it around 617 years old.
It stands in a compound of just over 2 Rai.
In 1954 (Buddhist year), Wat Phan Tao was a place where many bronze molds of Buddha were made. The resulting images were housed in the Viharn (chapel), at Wat Chedi Luang.
Wat Phan Tao was renovated during the reign of King Kawila, the first King of Chiang Mai.
in 2349 King Kawila appointed Phra Maha Kumpeera from Wat Phan Tao, to be advisor to the Supreme Patriach.
In 2361 King Puttavong , the fourth King of Chiang Mai, gave merit in celebration of four Temples, Wat Ou Mong, Wat Doung Dee, Wat Sam Phao, and Wat Phan Tao.
Between 2420 and 2436, the Abbot of Wat Phan Tao, Khru Ba Kawila formed the Buddhist Temple hall of Chiang Mai Sect Clergy.
There are 13 temples in this sect;
Wat Phan Tao : Wat Sob Kaomin : Wat Chedi Luang : Wat Hor Tham : Wat Sed Thar : Wat Charng Tam : Wat Mern Tum : Wat Jed Lin : Wat Forn Sroy : Wat Phan Vand : Wat Pouk Tam : Wat Karrakok and Wat Kit Ti.
In 2433 when the acting head of the Chiang Mai clergy, Khru Ba Punya, passed away, the sect decided that Khru Ba Kawila should be the next head but he to passed away , in 2436, before he had taken up the position.
In 2415,during the reign of Phra Chao Inthawichayanon, the 7th King of Chiang Mai, Chao Mae Buatip and her family commissioned the building of a Buddha image at Wat Tai Dub Pao. The wooden image was given to Wat Phan Tao to dedicate to all her family.
Also during this reign the teak Vihan was built using wood reclaimed after the dismantling of Hor Kum, the royal residence of Phra Chao Mahotra, 5th King of Chiang Mai.
The Vihan is said to be the only teak Vihan within the lanna Kingdom to have remained in perfect condition.