Wat Surin Tharat (Pa Ngae)

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.00 – 17.00

 

Wat Surin Tharat (Pa Ngae) is located at 188 Moo 7, Ban Pak Thang Saluang, Khi Lek Subdistrict, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai Province. It is a private Buddhist temple under the Mahanikaya order and an important local temple for the Ban Pak Thang Saluang community. The temple is historically associated with Phra Chao Kawilorot Suriyawong, also known as Chao Chiwit Ao, a former ruler of Chiang Mai, and is said to have been founded around 1863.

 

Wat Surin Tharat is a quiet local temple suitable for worship, merit-making, and learning about older community temples in northern Mae Rim. The temple has a calm and modest atmosphere. Its main value lies in its historical background, old principal Buddha image, viharn, traditional naga stairway, ordination hall, chedi, and the continuing relationship between the temple and the local community.

 

The temple was formerly known locally as Wat Pa Ngae, after the village name and the local landscape. The name Pa Ngae is connected with a local plant called ma-ngae, described as having a green thorny trunk and sour fruit. This older name shows the deep connection between the temple and its surrounding environment. Later, the temple became known as Wat Surin Tharat in memory of Khru Ba Surin, a respected monk who restored the temple after it had been damaged by floodwater.

 

The change from Wat Pa Ngae to Wat Surin Tharat reflects an important aspect of northern Thai Buddhist culture. Many temples in Lanna are remembered not only through their buildings or sacred objects, but also through the monks who cared for, restored, and guided them. Because local people respected Khru Ba Surin’s conduct and his role in reviving the temple, the name Wat Surin Tharat became a way to preserve his memory within the community.

 

The historical background of Wat Surin Tharat belongs to the late period of Chiang Mai’s local rulers. Phra Chao Kawilorot Suriyawong was one of the important rulers of Chiang Mai before the full integration of Lanna into the modern Siamese administrative system. Temples associated with this period are valuable because they preserve traces of local Buddhist patronage, village faith, and the role of ruling families in supporting religious life.

 

Ban Pak Thang Saluang, Village No. 7 of Khi Lek Subdistrict, lies in northern Mae Rim. The area is connected with local agricultural communities, the Ping River lowland environment, and roads linking Mae Rim with Mae Taeng and nearby villages. Wat Surin Tharat therefore stands in a living community landscape shaped by temples, roads, farmland, and local memory.

 

The temple serves as a spiritual center for Ban Pak Thang Saluang. Local people use the temple for worship, merit-making, Dhamma listening, Buddhist observance days, seasonal ceremonies, Kathin, robe-offering ceremonies, and village merit-making events. Like many community temples in northern Thailand, Wat Surin Tharat is not only a place to visit. It is part of the social and spiritual life of the village.

 

The old principal Buddha image inside the viharn is one of the most important sacred objects at Wat Surin Tharat. Paying respect to the principal image connects visitors with the faith of the local community. The Buddha image is not only a point of worship but also a symbol of continuity, showing how the temple has remained meaningful to local people over time.

 

The viharn is notable for its traditional naga stairway, where traces of older architectural elements and past damage can still be observed. In northern Thai temple architecture, naga balustrades often symbolize guardianship of the sacred space. The surviving traditional naga form at Wat Surin Tharat helps visitors sense the age of the temple and the layers of restoration it has gone through.

 

In addition to the viharn, the temple also includes an ordination hall and chedi. The ordination hall is an important space for monastic ceremonies, while the chedi represents devotion to Buddhism and the sacred center of the temple. Visitors should spend time respectfully at the viharn, then continue to the ordination hall and chedi to appreciate the temple as a complete religious site.

 

The main highlight of Wat Surin Tharat is not grand scale or dramatic decoration. Its value lies in being an old community temple that still preserves traces of local history. Visitors can see the old principal Buddha image, traditional naga stairway, ordination hall, chedi, and the peaceful character of a Lanna village temple located close to Highway 107.

 

The current abbot recorded in temple information is Phra Khru Praphat Chindaphon. The presence of an abbot and regular temple care confirms that Wat Surin Tharat remains an active religious place for the community. Visitors should behave respectfully, avoid entering monks’ private areas without permission, and keep the atmosphere quiet for worshippers and local residents.

 

Religious traditions associated with the temple follow the rhythm of northern Thai community temples. These include Buddhist observance days, major Buddhist holy days, Kathin, robe-offering ceremonies, almsgiving, Dhamma listening, and village merit-making events. Such activities help maintain the relationship between temple, family, and community across generations.

 

Khi Lek Subdistrict includes several villages such as Ban Khi Lek Noi, Ban San Khayom, Ban Huai Nam Rin, Ban Sang, Ban Ton Kham, Ban Khi Lek Luang, Ban Pak Thang Saluang, and Ban Phana Wan. Wat Surin Tharat is located in Village No. 7, giving it a direct connection with the northern part of the subdistrict and with the route toward Saluang. This location makes the temple part of a broader local network of villages, roads, and Buddhist sites.

 

Wat Surin Tharat can be included in a Mae Rim temple route. Nearby places include Wat Nong Pan Chiang, Wat Intharam in Khi Lek Subdistrict, Wat Pa Dara Phirom, Daraphirom Palace Museum, Mae Sa Elephant Camp, and Mae Sa Waterfall. Travelers who want a quieter route can focus on temples in Khi Lek and Saluang, while those planning a full-day trip can continue toward Mae Sa Valley and Mon Jam.

 

A respectful visit should begin at the viharn to pay homage to the principal Buddha image. Visitors can then observe the traditional naga stairway, continue to the ordination hall and chedi, and walk quietly around the temple grounds. Photography should be done respectfully, without climbing on sacred structures or disturbing worshippers.

 

Getting There from Chiang Mai city is straightforward by following Highway 107, the Chiang Mai–Fang road, toward Mae Rim and Mae Taeng. The temple is located in Ban Pak Thang Saluang, Village No. 7, Khi Lek Subdistrict, near around kilometer 27 of the main route. A private car, rental car, or hired vehicle is recommended, especially for travelers planning to visit nearby temples, restaurants, or accommodations.

 

The best time to visit is in the morning or late afternoon when the weather is more comfortable. A short visit to Wat Surin Tharat usually takes about 30–60 minutes. Travelers who want to combine the temple with nearby temples or attractions in Mae Rim should plan a half-day route.

 

Visitors should dress modestly, keep their voices low, and respect the sacred areas of the temple. If a ceremony or merit-making event is taking place, visitors should allow space for monks and local participants. Wat Surin Tharat is a living community temple, and its quiet atmosphere should be preserved.

 

Wat Surin Tharat (Pa Ngae) offers a quieter view of Mae Rim beyond the more famous natural attractions and cafes. It brings together the story of Ban Pak Thang Saluang, Khi Lek Subdistrict, Chiang Mai’s former rulers, Khru Ba Surin, the old viharn, traditional naga stairway, principal Buddha image, ordination hall, and chedi. For travelers interested in old temples and local Lanna history, this temple offers a calm and meaningful stop.

 

 

A: Wat Surin Tharat (Pa Ngae) is located at 188 Moo 7, Ban Pak Thang Saluang, Khi Lek Subdistrict, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai Province.

 

A: Wat Surin Tharat is open daily from 08.00 to 17.00.

 

A: The temple was formerly known as Wat Pa Ngae, after the village name and the local landscape.

 

A: It is an old community temple associated with Phra Chao Kawilorot Suriyawong and preserves important local temple features such as the viharn, traditional naga stairway, ordination hall, chedi, and old principal Buddha image.

 

A: Important features include the old principal Buddha image in the viharn, traditional naga stairway, ordination hall, chedi, and community merit-making areas.

 

A: The current abbot recorded in temple information is Phra Khru Praphat Chindaphon.

 

A: Nearby places include Wat Nong Pan Chiang, Wat Intharam, Wat Pa Dara Phirom, Daraphirom Palace Museum, Mae Sa Elephant Camp, and Mae Sa Waterfall.

 

A: Travelers can follow Highway 107, the Chiang Mai–Fang road, toward Mae Rim. The temple is located in Ban Pak Thang Saluang near around kilometer 27. A private car, rental car, or hired vehicle is recommended.