Wat Si Phumin

Rating: 3.2/5 (11 votes)

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.00 – 17.00

 

Wat Sri Phumin (San Pa Sak) is a long-established community temple located in Ban San Pa Sak, Moo 2, Cho Lae Subdistrict, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai Province. The temple is deeply rooted in local life and is often referred to by villagers as “Wat San Pa Sak,” a name derived from the surrounding settlement. In later years, the traditional and auspicious name “Wat Sri Phumin” was formally restored to reflect its religious identity and historical significance.

 

Unlike large landmark temples in Chiang Mai city, Wat Sri Phumin offers a quiet and grounded atmosphere that reflects the character of a living Lanna village. Visitors who come here often notice that the experience is not defined by grandeur, but by calmness, continuity, and a sense of cultural intimacy. The temple grounds preserve architectural elements and symbolic features that invite slow exploration rather than rushed sightseeing.

 

According to local historical records, Wat Sri Phumin was officially established on 29 February 1860 and later received its consecrated boundary (wisungkhamsima) in 1927. These dates place the temple within a crucial transitional period in Northern Thailand, when Lanna communities were gradually adapting to modern administrative systems. Like many community temples of that era, Wat Sri Phumin developed as both a spiritual center and a social anchor for village life.

 

One of the most distinctive features of the temple is the group of structures and symbolic elements commonly known as the “Twelve Zodiac Wall.” This feature integrates Buddhist beliefs with Lanna cosmology, linking the twelve zodiac signs to ideas of fate, moral conduct, and the cycle of life. Rather than serving as decoration alone, the wall functions as a visual narrative that encourages reflection on personal destiny and the natural order.

 

The temple is also home to Phra Tanjai, a revered Buddha image widely associated with quick fulfillment of wishes. In Northern Thai belief, praying to Phra Tanjai is not about miraculous shortcuts, but about clarity of intention and decisive action. Worshippers believe that when prayers are made with sincerity and mindfulness, life paths become smoother and opportunities align more readily.

 

This belief has made Wat Sri Phumin a meaningful destination for people at important turning points in life, such as starting a new job, beginning a business, or seeking renewed direction. The peaceful surroundings of the temple support quiet contemplation, allowing visitors to pause, refocus, and reconnect with their intentions before returning to daily routines.

 

Architecturally, the temple retains an understated Lanna aesthetic. Old stupas and boundary walls, some more than a century old, stand as physical evidence of the community’s long relationship with Buddhism. These structures are maintained not as museum pieces, but as active parts of a functioning temple, reinforcing the sense that Wat Sri Phumin remains a place of lived faith rather than static heritage.

 

Getting There – Wat Sri Phumin (San Pa Sak) can be reached by car from Chiang Mai city by driving toward Mae Taeng District and continuing into Cho Lae Subdistrict. The temple is located within Ban San Pa Sak village, and navigation apps can be used to guide the final approach. Drivers are advised to slow down upon entering the village and to follow local signage near the temple entrance.

 

Visitors are encouraged to dress modestly and maintain a respectful demeanor, particularly when monks or local residents are present for religious activities. On Buddhist holy days, the temple may be busier than usual, offering an opportunity to observe authentic community practices rather than staged events.

 

Overall, Wat Sri Phumin (San Pa Sak) is best suited for travelers seeking cultural depth and spiritual calm rather than spectacle. Its combination of local history, symbolic art, and devotional practice makes it an ideal stop for those interested in Lanna culture, Buddhist traditions, and meaningful slow travel in Northern Thailand.

 

 

A: Yes. “Wat San Pa Sak” is a local name based on the village, while “Wat Sri Phumin” is the official temple name.

 

A: Phra Tanjai is believed to bring auspicious momentum and clarity of intention when worshipped with sincerity.

 

A: Around 45–90 minutes is ideal for worship, exploration, and quiet reflection.

 

A: Yes. It is best suited for visitors seeking cultural depth and spiritual calm rather than fast-paced sightseeing.