Rating: 4/5 (4 votes)

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 07.00–18.00

 

Wat Phut En is one of Mae Chaem’s most distinctive temples in Chiang Mai, best known for its rare “water ordination hall” setting that locals often call a floating ubosot. While many travelers come to Mae Chaem for terraced rice fields and mountain scenery, this temple is a direct window into the district’s spiritual roots and everyday community life. The temple sits in Chang Kheung (sometimes written as Chueng Kheung) Subdistrict, not far from Mae Chaem town, and the atmosphere is calm, green, and quietly local—more lived-in than staged.

 

Local tradition remembers the temple’s earlier name as “Wat Si Sutthawas En Mongkut,” and the word “En” in northern speech is often associated with calling or summoning. That idea connects tightly with the best-known legend here: the Buddha is said to have visited this area and called for Ananda to draw water. Afterward, the Buddha’s mouth-rinse touched the ground and formed a spring that never runs dry, later revered as a sacred well near the front of the temple grounds. For Mae Chaem residents, this story is not only a miracle tale, but a way of explaining why water, purity, and renewal sit at the heart of the temple’s identity.

 

The signature feature of Wat Phut En is its “water ubosot” and the concept of udaka-sima, a ritual boundary defined by water. The ordination hall stands within a rectangular pond, visually separated from the outer ground in a way that feels intentional and meditative. In Buddhist practice, a properly defined sima boundary is essential for major monastic ceremonies, and a water boundary carries a strong symbolic message of purity and focused intent. In northern Thailand, this idea is often explained through historical links to Sri Lankan (Lanka) monastic influence in certain periods, which makes the water-ordination layout here more than a photo spot—it is cultural evidence of how beliefs and ritual forms traveled and took root.

 

Architecturally, the rectangular pond and laterite elements around the boundary contribute to the temple’s earthy, time-worn character. The still water reflects the structure, especially in the morning or late afternoon when the light is soft. The overall composition creates a sense of sacred separation without walls—one of the reasons this kind of space is so compelling for visitors who enjoy heritage sites that feel authentic rather than crowded.

 

Further inside the complex, you’ll find an old teak viharn with fading wall paintings associated with Tai Yai (Shan) craftsmanship. Even when the pigments have softened with age, the remaining lines and compositions still hint at local storytelling styles and the wider cultural exchanges that shaped Mae Chaem over time. The temple also houses respected images such as “Phra Chao Saen Tong” and “Phra Chao Than Jai,” which many worshippers visit for blessings in line with northern devotional traditions.

 

Behind the viharn stands a stupa whose base features the Lanna-style “12 zodiac” motif. In the northern worldview, zodiac symbolism connects people to cycles of time, personal protection, and merit-making practice. It is another example of how decoration at this temple carries meaning, not just ornament.

 

Getting There The temple is in Chang Kheung Subdistrict, Mae Chaem District, Chiang Mai. From Mae Chaem town, drive toward the junction near Mae Chaem Police Station, then turn right for about 1.5 km. Continue across to the far side of the Mae Chaem River area and drive on for roughly another 1 km to reach the temple. Local lanes can be named differently by neighborhood, so checking navigation before departure is recommended.

 

If you want a well-rounded day trip, you can visit the temple in the morning for quiet light and a calmer atmosphere, then continue to nearby cultural and scenic spots such as the Mae Chaem teen-jok weaving community, the red suspension bridge (Khua Tong Teng), or the terraced fields around Ban Kong Kan in the afternoon.

 

 

A: The rare water ordination hall (udaka-sima) is the signature feature, along with the sacred spring and the old teak viharn.

 

A: It is a ritual boundary defined by water, used to mark a consecrated area for major monastic ceremonies and associated with purity symbolism.

 

A: Morning or late afternoon is ideal for softer light, cooler air, and a quieter atmosphere.

 

A: Dress modestly and respectfully, as this is an active community temple.

 

A: The red suspension bridge, the teen-jok weaving community, Wat Phra That Chang Kheung, and Ban Kong Kan terraced fields are popular nearby stops.