Wat Pa Daet

Rating: 3.7/5 (7 votes)

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.30–17.00

 

Wat Pa Daet is an old temple in Mae Chaem District, Chiang Mai Province, located in Tha Pha Subdistrict. The surrounding atmosphere is quiet and peaceful, typical of a mountain-valley community, making it ideal for paying respects, appreciating traditional art, and spending time without rushing. What sets Wat Pa Daet apart from many other community temples is the “mural paintings inside the viharn,” which remain in relatively good condition. The brushwork of Shan (Tai Yai) painters is clearly visible in the lines, colors, and narrative style, making these murals an important cultural legacy of the Mae Chaem area.

 

According to local accounts, the main viharn of Wat Pa Daet was built around the same time as the temple itself, approximately in 1857 (B.E. 2400). This period reflects a time when Mae Chaem communities included diverse groups and skilled artisans, especially Shan (Tai Yai) craftsmen who played major roles in temple decoration and mural painting. As a result, the murals here are not merely “beautiful artwork,” but living evidence of how knowledge, faith, and artistic taste moved through and became rooted in real community life.

 

When you step into the viharn, a good way to appreciate the murals is to slowly follow the walls with your eyes and notice how “Shan painters” often tell stories continuously, like reading a picture-book across the wall. Most scenes depict episodes from the Buddha’s life and various Jataka tales, arranged in sequences that are easy to follow. Characters and settings are scaled to fit the wall space while preserving key details such as gestures, posture, and the mood of each event. The painters emphasize clarity of storytelling over realism, giving the murals a sense of life and inviting viewers to “read” the story as they look.

 

A common hallmark of Shan mural painting is linework that is sharp yet not overly rigid. Faces of the figures tend to appear gentle, calm, and softly composed, often with a subtle devotional tone in their expressions. The color palette is generally not flashy; it leans toward natural tones that age well and harmonize with the interior light of the viharn—such as muted reds, yellow-browns, light greens, and black for outlining. This is one reason the murals still retain clear compositional elements even after more than a century, and it also creates an experience where the images do not “shout” at you, but gradually draw you into the world of the story.

 

In terms of its role within the community, the mural paintings at Wat Pa Daet functioned like a visual textbook of Buddhist teachings in an era when literacy was limited. Scenes from the Buddha’s life and Jataka tales were used to teach moral cause and effect, perseverance, gratitude, honesty, and the Middle Way. Viewing these murals is therefore not only about taking beautiful photos—it is also about reading the values and intentions that earlier generations deliberately placed within a sacred space.

 

Beyond the murals, Wat Pa Daet also includes elements worth noticing as a Lanna-style community temple: the grounds are not large, yet they are arranged in an orderly way that supports both monastic routines and community activities. The simplicity of the buildings and courtyard actually helps the viharn and its murals stand out more strongly, because when the surroundings are not overloaded, your attention naturally returns to the “stories” on the walls.

 

If your main purpose is to see the murals, it is recommended to set aside at least 30–60 minutes, and to avoid using flash or standing too close to the wall surface to help preserve the pigments and plaster. Visitors should dress respectfully, speak softly, and honor the space as an active place of worship. For local people, this is not only a museum-like site—it is a “living temple” in everyday use.

 

Getting There  The temple is located in Tha Pha Subdistrict, Mae Chaem District, Chiang Mai Province. If traveling from Chiang Mai city by private car, the common route is Chiang Mai–Hot, then continue into Mae Chaem District and follow signs to Tha Pha Subdistrict. Once you reach the community area, look for signs to Wat Pa Daet or ask local residents. This is the most convenient option for travelers who plan to visit multiple sites in Mae Chaem in the same day.

 

 

A: It is best known for the relatively well-preserved mural paintings inside the viharn, created by Shan (Tai Yai) painters, depicting episodes from the Buddha’s life and Jataka tales.

 

A: If you want to see the murals carefully, plan at least 30–60 minutes to follow the narratives and observe the artistic details.

 

A: Avoid using flash, do not stand too close or touch the wall surfaces, dress respectfully, and keep quiet since the viharn is an active worship space.

 

A: It is ideal for cultural and art-focused travel, especially for visitors who prefer quiet temples and are interested in northern Thai mural traditions.

 

A: You can continue to Wat Phuttha En, Wat Kong Kan, or Wat Kong Khaek, or stop in Mae Chaem town for food and cafés before planning a nature route toward the Mae Chaem side of Doi Inthanon.