Wat Yai Intharam is a third-class royal monastery and one of the oldest and most significant temples in Chonburi Province. It has stood as a spiritual and cultural landmark of the city since the late Ayutthaya period. The temple is located at 858 Jet Jamnong Road, Bang Pla Soi Subdistrict, Mueang Chonburi District, Chonburi Province. It has been a center of faith for local residents for centuries.

 

The temple was originally built when King Nakharintharathirat of the Ayutthaya Kingdom traveled to Chonburi on a royal waterway procession. Upon arriving in the area, the king was captivated by the tranquil scenery filled with lush coastal vegetation and the soothing sound of waves and sea breeze at night. Seeing it as a perfect place for Buddhist monks to practice meditation and spiritual cultivation, he ordered the construction of a temple and named it Wat Intharam, which was connected to his own royal name. Over time, locals referred to it as Wat Luang (Royal Temple) or Wat Yai (Big Temple), which eventually evolved into its current name, Wat Yai Intharam.

 

During the second fall of Ayutthaya, King Taksin the Great, then known as Phraya Wachiraprakan, stopped at this temple to gather forces in preparation for the liberation of the kingdom. The temple also served as a base to suppress Nai Thong Yu Noi, a notorious pirate who terrorized the coastal areas. Wat Yai Intharam was officially declared a temple in 1782 (B.E. 2325) and received its consecrated boundary (Wisungkhamsima) in 1792 (B.E. 2335). On August 15, 1975 (B.E. 2518), it was elevated to the status of a third-class royal monastery. Today, it is under the care of Phra Ratchawachirasittisunthorn (Wornnai Katateepo), the current abbot and deputy district ecclesiastical governor of Mueang Chonburi.

 

One of the most revered sacred images at the temple is Luang Pho Choei, a highly respected Buddha image regarded as the spiritual protector of Chonburi. The image is a bronze seated Buddha adorned with royal regalia, crafted in the Ayutthaya style. Originally, it was enshrined at Wat Samorakot, another ancient temple built around the same era as Wat Yai Intharam. However, as Wat Samorakot was eventually abandoned and left without monks or patrons, Luang Pho Choei was left exposed to the elements, sitting silently under the sun and rain for many years. Villagers, deeply moved by this sight, began calling it “Luang Pho Choei,” which means “The Buddha Who Sits Silently.” Later, the villagers conducted a sacred ceremony to transfer the statue to Wat Yai Intharam, where it has been worshipped ever since.

 

Locals believe Luang Pho Choei possesses miraculous powers, particularly in healing sickly children. Parents would take a piece of saffron cloth from the robe draped over the statue, tie it around their child’s wrist, and pray for their recovery. It is also widely believed that praying to Luang Pho Choei can help recover lost belongings. Devotees often return with gratitude, offering new robes to replace the worn ones, showing a cycle of faith and devotion that has continued for generations.

 

To honor the Buddha image during the annual provincial festival, the temple once created a life-sized replica of Luang Pho Choei to be paraded around Chonburi city. However, due to its massive size and weight, it was only used for the procession once. Today, this replica is permanently housed within the temple for public veneration.

 

Another important structure in the temple is the mondop (square pavilion), located to the west of the ordination hall. The building was restored in 1949 (B.E. 2492) and features a square plan with a tapering, four-sided spire roof. Inside, it enshrines a replica of the Buddha’s footprint, measuring 62 x 149 centimeters, believed to be from the same era as the sacred footprint at Wat Phra Phutthabat in Saraburi Province. The inner walls are adorned with murals depicting significant historical events, including King Taksin’s liberation campaign and scenes of Chonburi’s local traditions and way of life. The west wall features illustrations of traditional celebrations and performances, while the east wall depicts the Buddha’s Parinirvana. Each scene is accompanied by poetic verses composed by Phra Ratchapromacharn (Chamrat Phatto), a former abbot of the temple. On the eastern terrace of the mondop lies a beautifully crafted reclining Buddha image, facing westward, which draws the admiration of visitors.

 

Wat Yai Intharam also has strong historical ties to Chonburi’s famous Buffalo Racing Festival (Wing Kwai), a tradition that dates back over 100 years. Originally, this festival was held on the 14th day of the waxing moon in the 11th lunar month, the day before the end of Buddhist Lent. The purpose was to allow farmers to make merit, listen to sermons, and rest together after the harvest season, while also giving their hardworking buffaloes a break. In the past, the temple grounds served as a gathering place for farmers to bring their produce on wooden carts pulled by buffalo. This area became known as Tha Kwian (“Cart Pier”).

 

On festival day, elaborately decorated carts carrying offerings were brought to the temple, each representing one of the 13 chapters of the Great Birth Sermon (Maha Chat). While waiting for the ceremonies to begin, some buffalo owners playfully rode their buffaloes to race each other for fun and to test the animals’ strength. This spontaneous activity later evolved into an official competition. Over time, the local government and community developed it into a grand annual event, complete with ceremonial buffalo blessing rituals, parades of 13 decorated carts through the city, and races held in front of the Chonburi Provincial Hall. Historical records note that on December 7, 1912 (B.E. 2455), King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) visited Chonburi and watched the buffalo races, solidifying the event as an official provincial tradition that continues today.

 

Traveling to Wat Yai Intharam is convenient. From Sukhumvit Road at the Chaloem Thai intersection heading toward Phanat Nikhom District, turn right onto Pho Thong Road, then turn left onto Jet Jamnong Road and continue for about 300 meters. The temple is located on the roadside, only 500 meters from the Chonburi Provincial Hall.

 

Wat Yai Intharam is not only a sacred religious site but also a living testament to Chonburi’s rich history, culture, and traditions. Visiting this temple offers both a spiritual experience and a deep connection to the region’s heritage, making it a must-see destination for those wishing to explore the roots of Thailand’s Eastern region.