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Wat Khositaram, commonly known among local residents as “Wat Ban Khae”, is one of the important temples in Chai Nat Province. The temple is located in Village No. 9, Ban Khae Village, Bang Khut Subdistrict, Sankhaburi District. It is an ancient temple with a history spanning more than a century and has played a significant role in the religious life, traditions, and community culture of the local people.

 

The temple occupies an area of approximately 35 rai and is located about 15 kilometers from the Sankhaburi District Office. In the past, the surrounding area was a quiet forested region with relatively few inhabitants. Most villagers lived a traditional agricultural lifestyle and maintained a close relationship with the land and natural environment.

 

Originally, the temple was an abandoned monastery known as “Wat Khwit”. At that time it stood in the middle of a forest and contained only a few basic structures. There were merely two monk residences built in a simple style with roofs thatched with grass. The meeting pavilion was also a small hip-roof pavilion covered with thatch. The temple environment during that period was therefore very modest and undeveloped compared to what can be seen today.

 

The origin of the name “Wat Khwit” is believed to be connected to the local geography of the area, which was elevated land where many bael trees grew naturally. The bael tree is a hardy tree commonly found in the dry regions of central Thailand. In earlier times, people often named places after natural features that could easily be observed in the surrounding environment. This is how the name Wat Khwit came into use.

 

However, local residents—particularly the elderly in the community—generally referred to the temple as “Wat Ban Khae”, following the name of the nearby village, Ban Khae, in Bang Khut Subdistrict, Sankhaburi District, Chai Nat Province. For many years the temple was widely known by this local name before it was officially renamed.

 

Throughout several decades, different monks successively served as abbots of the temple before Luang Pho Kuey Chutintharo, a renowned monk of Chai Nat Province, eventually assumed the position. He became the sixth abbot of the temple. Luang Pho Kuey was known for his strict adherence to Buddhist discipline and became deeply respected by local villagers.

 

When Luang Pho Kuey took responsibility for the temple, he began developing and improving it in many ways. This included restoring temple structures, organizing the temple grounds, and encouraging villagers to participate in religious activities. Gradually, the temple developed into a spiritual center for the people of Ban Khae and surrounding communities.

 

One of the significant events during Luang Pho Kuey’s leadership was the renaming of the temple. The old name “Wat Khwit” was replaced with “Wat Khositaram”. The intention behind this change was to provide the temple with a more auspicious and dignified name reflecting Buddhist prosperity.

 

It is believed that Luang Pho Kuey was inspired by Wat Rakhang Khositaram in Bangkok, an important temple closely associated with Somdet Phra Phutthachan (To Phrommarangsi), one of the most revered monks in Thai Buddhist history.

 

Luang Pho Kuey had great faith and respect for Somdet To, especially in relation to the creation of sacred Buddhist amulets. Luang Pho Kuey produced Buddha amulets whose design resembled the famous Somdet amulets of Wat Rakhang. Moreover, sacred powder believed to originate from Somdet To was incorporated into the amulet mixture.

 

The sacred powder came from one of Luang Pho Kuey’s disciples who had been ordained and studied at Wat Rakhang Khositaram. After discovering the powder, the disciple brought it back and offered it to Luang Pho Kuey. The powder was later used in the creation of sacred amulets as a way to commemorate Somdet To. For this reason, Luang Pho Kuey decided to rename the temple Wat Khositaram to honor this spiritual connection and to establish an auspicious identity for the monastery.

 

Since then, Wat Khositaram has gradually become more well known, particularly among devotees who revere Luang Pho Kuey and his sacred amulets. People from many provinces travel to the temple to pay respects to Luang Pho Kuey and seek blessings for prosperity and protection.

 

Today, Wat Khositaram remains an important temple in Chai Nat Province. It continues to attract visitors who come to make merit, worship sacred objects, and learn about the life and legacy of Luang Pho Kuey, who is widely respected as a revered Buddhist master.

 

The atmosphere inside the temple is peaceful and shaded, making it an ideal place for meditation and spiritual reflection. The temple grounds also contain various religious structures that reflect both the historical development of the temple and the deep faith of the surrounding community.

 

 

A: Wat Khositaram is located in Village No. 9, Ban Khae Village, Bang Khut Subdistrict, Sankhaburi District, Chai Nat Province, Thailand.

 

A: The temple was originally an abandoned monastery known as Wat Khwit before Luang Pho Kuey developed it and renamed it Wat Khositaram.

 

A: Luang Pho Kuey served as the sixth abbot of the temple and played a major role in developing it into an important religious center.

 

A: His amulets are well known for their sacred power and were influenced by the design and sacred powder traditions of Wat Rakhang.

 

A: Visitors can travel from Chai Nat city toward Sankhaburi District and continue to Bang Khut Subdistrict. The journey usually takes about 20–30 minutes by car.