Rating: 3.3/5 (8 votes)

Open Days: Open Daily

Opening Hours: 08.00 – 17.00

 

Wat Khongkharam is one of the most famous historic temples in Ratchaburi Province. It is located in Khlong Ta Khot Subdistrict, Photharam District, Ratchaburi Province. This temple is a Mon temple with a history of more than 200 years and is considered one of the most important cultural attractions in the Mae Klong River basin. Inside the temple are many valuable artistic features, especially the mural paintings inside the ordination hall, which are regarded as some of the most beautiful and finely detailed works from the early Rattanakosin period in Thailand. As a result, tourists and art lovers continue to visit this temple regularly.

 

Wat Khongkharam is located about 22 kilometers north of Ratchaburi town. Travelers can follow Highway No. 4, or Phetkasem Road, heading north, then turn onto Highway No. 3080 for about 1 kilometer to reach the temple. The temple is situated in the middle of a Mon community that has a settlement history dating back many hundreds of years, so the surrounding atmosphere still clearly reflects the traditional way of life of the Mae Klong riverside communities.

 

Originally, Wat Khongkharam was called “Wat Klang,” or in the Mon language, “Phia To.” This was because the temple was located at the center of the Mon community. Later, during the reign of King Chulalongkorn, Rama V, the temple was granted the new name “Wat Khongkharam.” The name refers to a temple situated near water or associated with a river, since this area lies close to the Mae Klong River, which was an important route for the settlement of Mon communities in the past.

 

The main highlight of Wat Khongkharam is its ordination hall, which is a beautiful example of architecture blending Thai and Mon artistic styles. Inside the ordination hall is the principal Buddha image, whose inner core is made of laterite and covered in gold. The base of the pedestal is designed in an overturned-lotus and upright-lotus pattern, a form commonly found in early Rattanakosin art. The details of the Buddha image and its pedestal clearly reflect the refinement of the craftsmen of that era.

 

Surrounding the ordination hall are seven Mon-style chedis arranged around the building. These chedis are important examples of Mon architecture, with tall and slender forms decorated in an elegant manner. They are not only beautiful structures, but also symbols reflecting the cultural roots of the Mon community that has lived in this area for generations.

 

Inside the ordination hall, Wat Khongkharam also contains mural paintings that are highly regarded for their beauty and artistic value. These murals were painted during the early Rattanakosin period, and most of them depict episodes from the life of the Buddha and Jataka tales. The paintings are highly detailed, harmoniously colored, and vividly convey the emotions of the figures. Many art scholars have noted that the murals at Wat Khongkharam stand out for their realistic portrayal of gestures and facial expressions, making them appear more lifelike than murals in many other temples from the same period.

 

Another interesting feature inside the temple is a set of nine traditional Thai monk residences built during the Thonburi period. These residences are wooden buildings in classic Thai architectural style. Today, they have been adapted into a local folk museum. Inside the museum, many old objects, household items, tools, and artifacts related to the local way of life are displayed. These items help reflect the lives of people in the past very clearly.

 

The folk museum at Wat Khongkharam is open only on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from 09.00 to 16.30. Groups wishing to visit on weekdays, from Monday to Friday, should contact the temple at least one week in advance. The admission fee for both Thai and foreign visitors is 10 baht per person. Income from admission fees is used to support the preservation of the historic structures and the temple’s activities.

 

Getting There There are several ways to travel from Bangkok to Wat Khongkharam. If traveling by bus, visitors can take a Bangkok – Photharam route from the Southern Bus Terminal. Upon arriving in Photharam District, get off near the Photharam Post Office, then take a motorcycle taxi to Wat Khongkharam, which is not far away.

 

For those traveling by private car, take Phetkasem Road toward Ratchaburi Province. Upon reaching Photharam District, turn onto Highway No. 3080 and continue for about 1 kilometer to reach Wat Khongkharam. The journey is convenient, and parking is available inside the temple grounds.

 

Today, Wat Khongkharam is considered one of the most important cultural attractions in Ratchaburi Province. Visitors who come here can not only pay respect to the principal Buddha image for good fortune, but also closely study the art and history of the Mon community. This temple is therefore a valuable learning site and deserves to be preserved for future generations to study and admire.

 

 

A: Wat Khongkharam is located in Khlong Ta Khot Subdistrict, Photharam District, Ratchaburi Province, about 22 kilometers from Ratchaburi town.

 

A: The main highlights are the early Rattanakosin mural paintings, the seven Mon-style chedis, and the folk museum displaying old local artifacts.

 

A: The temple is open daily from 08.00 to 17.00.

 

A: The folk museum is open only on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from 09.00 to 16.30.

 

A: Visiting the temple itself is free, but admission to the folk museum is 10 baht per person.