Temples | Travel and Life in Thailand

Wat Mornthean–Sri Poom, Chiang Mai

Dec 102008

This stunningly plush Temple sits on the western end of Sri Poom Rd, the Northern side of the Old City.

Its another one I shall have to do more investigation on to discover its history, but for now I will let the photos do their work and recommend a visit.

Points of most interest for me were the Sitting Buddha, which is the plainest part of the architecture here, being of plain grey concrete.

It seems to hold even more of a presence than many of the more lavishly painted or gilded Buddhas you will see around Chiang Mai.

This is possibly to do with the contrast with the extremely plush and intricate decoration of the temple itself, both inside and out. Worth special note is the use of the coloured glass in much of the decor.

A rather grand new building is under construction right now,(December 2008), to the rear of the Temple grounds.

for more photos visit or photobucket album here.

Wat Lam Chang

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Dec 092008

This delightful Temple sits at the end of Moonmuang Soi 7, one of the popular backpacker Soi’s.

Yet another architectural delight to have benefited from recent renovation.

I entered from Soi 7 but you can also gain entry from the north end of Ratchaphakhinai, at the rear of the Temple grounds.

On the day that I visited it was interesting to see a very enthusiastic young Monk giving a lesson inside the Temple to a group of infant school children.

The history of Wat Lam Chang.

Chiang Mai was founded from 1292 to 1295(Buddha year), by Phaya Mung Rai, King of the Lanna Kingdom.

While the construction of the City went ahead Phaya Mung Rai invited the King of Sukothai, Phay Ruang, and the King of Phayao, Phaya Ngum Muang to consult with him over the Cities development. On completion of the agreed development the City was given the name of Nopburi Sri Nakorn Ping Chiang Mai.

During the construction Phaya Mung Rai had lived on what is now the site of Wat Chiang Mun. In this area, at that time, was a wooded area with a pond, that was known as the elephant feeding grounds and was given the name Wiang Chiang Chang.

The elephants feeding here were the ones used to transport the King and his workers.

Later a Temple was built on the site and given the name Wat Lam Chang, which loosely translates to ‘Temple of the tethered elephants’.

An elephant statue was built outside the Temple as an appropriate symbol.

As well as more wall paintings inside the Temple, another point of interest is the ancient chedi to the rear of the Temple, next to the beautifully restored, two tier Vihara. There is also a newer version guarded by smaller elephant staues at the four corners of its base, directly behind the Temple.

for more photos visit our photobucket album here

Brick Road Temple Tour…Wat Tung Yuu

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Nov 272008

Leaving the guest house and turning left, walk straight ahead past Wat Chai Prakiat to the next crossroads and this Wat is on the right hand side of the road, opposite the main Police Station.

The front of the Temple faces a gateway onto Ratchadamnoen Soi 7.

At this point in time there appears to be a major push to renovate many of the Temples in Chiang Mai and maybe this one is on the list somewhere.

Right now the Temple grounds show signs of mild neglect, but I did spot paint and building materials that suggest that may soon change.

As with previous examples there is a beautiful Vihan next to the Temple and a large white Chedi behind it. The Chedi is topped in the Lan Na mosaic style.

To the rear of the walled compound is quite an impressive looking Monks residence.

This is another on on my list for more research and this page will be updated as soon as I get further information.

Brick Road Temple Tour…Wat Umong Mahatherachan

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Nov 222008

Wat Umong Mahatherachan sits on Ratchpakinai Rd, turning right out of the cafe you walk straight ahead past the traffic lights and on to the next crossroads where you turn left into Ratchapakhinai Rd.
Alternatively, if you have visited Wat Duang Dee, then it is a short walk to the rear entrance to Wat Umong. Just turn around from the front entrance to Wat Duang Dee.

The grounds have a wonderfully quiet and relaxing feel with a variety of trees, the only things I found labeled in English. This one is a Jack Fruit.

There is a medium sized stone Chedi, with a gilded top, and a small Vihan guarded by two impressive Golden Lions.

Behind the Vihan is an enclosed garden area with a shrine, looked like a perfect meditation spot, surrounded by trees, quiet and cosy.

Walking round to the front of the Temple there are some other Engish signs, but despite one pointing to the information board, there is no English language information.
Inside this small temple you are greeted with a perfect example of the tradition for exquisite art inside the Temples. It was soon clear why this Temple is treasured as meditation haven by those who find it.

Unfortunately I have as yet failed to find any history on this temple but hope to return soon and chat with the Monks there and will update this post when the information is at hand.

Wat Duang Dee…

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Nov 212008

So, either walking north from Wat Phan Tao, or right out of the cafe and left at the traffic lights, up Phra Pokklao Rd, look out for the sign on your left and take the small Soi on the right into Wat Duang Dee.

Maybe you’d like to stop and buy refreshments from the Thai shop opposite the sign, very friendly people, look out for the colourful windmills. And stroll in to the lovely grounds of this recently restored and historic Temple. The renovation is almost finished and the landscaping that has gone with it makes for a very pleasent visit, though the sand used at the front tends to get in between your toes.

Another very small compound means this visit could take a very short time, although the Monks here will always be happy to sit and answer questions, so it will be as long as you choose.

There is a beautiful , smaller temple building to the left of the front of the main Wat and a Scripture repository that appears to still have its original teak wood doors.
From the front of the Temple you will see the back gate to Wat Umong Mahatherachan.

For a brief history of Wat Duang Dee, please go here.

Wat Duang Dee, …history

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Nov 212008

Wat Duang Dee dates back over 200 years. In 1761 the Chiang Mai Chronicle reported that a Monk from Wat Duang Dee became ruler of Chiang Mai at a time when it held its Independence for a short time before the Burmese returned to govern.

In 1819, the second ruling Prince of Chiang Mai, King Thammalangka had the Wat renovated and held a dedication ceremony.

Within its scripture hall there are, by all accounts beautiful gilded wood carvings.

For more information on this Temples history and that of other architectural treasures of Thailand go here

Wat Phan Tao…history

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Nov 182008

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.

Brick Road Temple Tours…..Wat Phan Tao

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Nov 182008

Two ways to this one, from The Brick road Cafe. Either you can stroll through Wat Chedi Luang, behind us, bearing left round to their front gate and then going left again and you will find Wat Phan Tao a few yards away.( for history of Wat Phan Tao , go here)

Or turn right out of the cafe, down to the traffic lights and turn right again, Wat Phan Tao is then, once again, just a few yards down the street on the right hand side.

Wat Pan Thao is a very popular Temple with tourists, being of wooden construction it is a beautiful example of the ‘old ways’.

It won’t take you too long to get around the grounds as the Wat sits in a very small compound.

Due to the size of the compound, most of what there is to see can be seen from the entrance so rather than a wordy tour, I will let the photos do the talking.

Wat Pan Thao

beautiful craftmanship

History of the Chedi – Wat Chedi Luang Temple Tour

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Nov 052008

Phra Datu Chedi Luang dates back over 600 years and is the tallest Pagoda in the whole of Thailand.
During the reign of Tilokaraja, 9th Monarch of the Mangrai dynasty,(1441-1487), the Chedi was reconstructed and enlarged to 80 metres high and 56 meters on each side of the base.
Chedi Luang is a mix of La Na , Sri Lankan and Pagan architecture.
The most important alteration was of a niche on the Eastern aspect of the Chedi, where The Emerald Buddha was enshrined for 79 of its 80 years in Chiang Mai.
Further reconstruction during the reign of Phra Muangkeo, 11th Monarch of the Mangrai Dynasty, (1495-1525), strengthened and enlarged the base and walled enclosures were added.
In 1545, during the reign of Queen Chiraprabha, the 15th Monarch of the Mangrai Dynasty, Chiang Mai suffered a heavy rainstorm and earthquake causing half of the Chedi to crumble. Restoration impossible, it was left like this for 400 years.

Western aspect

Eastern Aspect

In 1990, the Thai Government gave a budget of 35,000,000 baht for restoration of the ruins of Chedi Luang. The work was completed in December 1992 and the Chedi now sits at 60 metres wide at the base. The collapsed upper section not restored, the exact height is not known.

Old Photos of The Chedi

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