Rating: 4.5/5 (4 votes)

Open Days: Daily (museum by appointment)

Opening Hours: 09:00 – 17:00 (approx.)

 

Wat Khao Kadon also Romanized by locals as “Wat Khao Kradon”—is a rural Buddhist temple of the Mahanikaya order in Chak Don Subdistrict, Klaeng District, Rayong. Set on a gentle hill amid paddies and rubber groves, the temple has been a village anchor for over 160 years, blending quiet devotion with community learning. Founded in 1858 (Rama IV era) through the initiative of Phra Athikan Pui and a lay patron named A’Dang Thim—together with villagers who donated about 14 rai—the temple was originally called “Wat Ban Pa” (Forest Hamlet Temple) before it took on the official name “Wat Khao Kadon.” Many residents simply say “Wat Khao,” a nod to the small hill that shapes both the landscape and the mood here.

 

The temple received its Visungkhamsima (consecrated boundary) on 22 June 1994, a milestone that formalized its sacred precinct for monastic acts. Architecturally, the compound centers on a new ordination hall—brick-and-mortar, raised on a plinth, rectangular in plan—with tiered wooden roofwork capped by chofah and classic bai raka and hang hong finials. Square front pillars carry carved motifs, including honeycomb-like sa-lai ruangphueng patterns and kneeling celestials, while a wraparound verandah provides a sheltered ambulatory used during rites. The composition reads as modest Rattanakosin sensibility filtered through local craftsmanship: dignified, never ostentatious.

 

Beneath the new ubosot lies the temple’s distinctive pride: a small community museum often called the “Local Heritage Room.” Curated by the abbot, Phra Khru Phithak Wiriyaphon (Phra Maha Phian Pannathipo), it gathers everyday artifacts donated by families around Klaeng—bronze and metal Buddha images (including the former principal Buddha of the old ordination hall), palm-leaf manuscript cabinets, farm tools, oil lamps, earthenware, and Sangkhalok ceramics. Labels explain provenance and use, turning objects into lived memory. It’s not a grand institution; it’s a humble time capsule where the village remembers itself.

 

Elsewhere, the wooden vihara-like sermon hall (built in 1976) serves as a social commons: elders rest in the shade, youths rehearse Thai music, and school groups receive moral instruction. The grounds include a simple herbal garden—planted and tended as a teaching patch—where visitors can see Thai remedies long used in village households. A beloved presence here is “Luang Pho To,” a revered Buddha image associated with the temple’s protective grace; locals light incense before journeys or during anxious seasons, weaving quiet folklore into everyday piety.

 

Despite its unassuming profile in mainstream guidebooks, Wat Khao Kadon is a meaningful stop for culture-minded travelers and student groups. The visit rhythm favors morning: soft bells, saffron lines, and long shadows on the hill. If you hope to see the museum, call ahead—the space is sometimes closed for temple use. Modest dress is essential (no shorts or sleeveless tops). Donations help upkeep but there’s no fixed admission.

 

Getting There From Klaeng town, follow Sukhumvit (Hwy 3) and turn onto Route 3161 (Klaeng–Sunthorn Phu). The temple sits about 14 km from the district office with a clear signposted entrance near Ban Chak Don. Without a car, hire a local songthaew or motorcycle taxi from Klaeng Market (about 20 minutes, traffic permitting). Parking is available at the foot of the hill; early hours offer the most forgiving heat and a chance to join morning alms.

 

 

A: Yes. The temple grounds are generally open daily; the community museum typically requires a prior call to arrange access.

 

A: No fixed fee. Donations are welcome; the museum is community-run.

 

A: The new ubosot’s carved roof details, the Local Heritage Room beneath it, the 1976 wooden sermon hall, the small herbal garden, and the revered Buddha image “Luang Pho To.”

 

A: Hire a songthaew or motorcycle taxi from Klaeng Market; travel time is roughly 20 minutes depending on traffic and route.

 

A: Yes, parking space is available near the entrance at the base of the hill.

 

A: Dress modestly: no shorts or sleeveless tops. This is a working temple used by local residents.

 

A: Please call ahead to ensure the space is open, as it may occasionally be used for temple or community activities.