Wat Phra That Chom Chaeng, Phrae Province, Thailand

5Ian D 5:00 PM Mar 24, 2019

Put this one on your must visit list
Ignore the map marker it is completely wrong. The true location is 18.0760,100.19036 Well worth a visit because of the unusual figures depicting hell and inferno. Very graphic (and sexually explicit) so maybe not suitable if you have young kids with you.

4Arthurrvr 5:00 PM Apr 3, 2012

A 'forest' monastery with a number of fascinating large statues
Wat Phra That Chom Chaeng, aka Wat Phra That Jom Jang, is only a couple of kilometres beyond the much more famous Wat Phra That Cho Hae on the same 1022 road, around 10 kms to the east of Phrae City. Most visitors to Phrae will only get as far as Cho Hae but it is a pity as although Chom Chaeng is not nearly as opulent or well known, it has its own very distinctive and interesting character. The wat is set amongst extensive woods though not far from Phrae airport so possibly not the most isolated in temples! However, Phrae's airport is not very busy and indeed we didn't hear any planes at all in the hour or so that we were at the temple. The trees lend a nice rural feel to the temple, a contrast to the more urban nature of the vast majority of Thai temples. The main Buddha statue in the ubosot is fine, but what makes this temple different is the large number of tall statues all around. In particular a very tall standing Buddha statue which greets you as you come in through the gates, plus also a huge reclining Buddha statue set away from the main temple between the trees. There is also a tall 29 metre high golden coloured chedi which is reputed to house a strand of Buddha's hair. In addition there are a number of other large statues (including some large elephants and other animals), some looking more like Chinese style rather than more standard Thai style. The temple was founded in 788 BE, ie late 13th Century CE - but I don't think any of the original buildings remain though there is some of an old brick chedi visible outside the main wall which certainly certainly looks very old, - as indeed does some of the gateways which are large and unusual, though more intact. Although on a small hill, because of the trees, there is not much of a view. A curious temple with a wide mixture of styles, but one well worth the time.