Wat Long Or

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.00 – 17.00

 

Wat Long Or is a local Buddhist temple located at 38 Ban Long Or, Chotana Road, Moo 5, Mae Sun Subdistrict, Fang District, Chiang Mai Province. It is a private-sector temple under the Mahanikaya monastic order. The temple occupies 6 rai, 1 ngan, and 73 square wah of land. Wat Long Or was built in 1939 and serves as a spiritual center for Ban Long Or community. Important temple structures include a viharn, monks’ residences, and a sermon hall. The main sacred objects are Buddha images used for worship by local residents and visitors.

 

Wat Long Or should be understood as a community temple closely tied to Ban Long Or rather than a large commercial tourist attraction. The temple name is directly connected with the village name, giving it a strong local identity. Ban Long Or is part of Mae Sun Subdistrict, an area with villages, farmland, local roads, schools, temples, and community networks. Wat Long Or therefore stands within a living village landscape shaped by Buddhism, agriculture, local relationships, and northern Thai community life.

 

The temple was built in 1939. This historical point places Wat Long Or within the development of Mae Sun communities before the mid-twentieth century. In northern Thailand, many village temples grew from the faith of local residents who needed a place for worship, Dhamma listening, ceremonies, and shared community life. Wat Long Or reflects this pattern as a religious and social center for Ban Long Or.

 

The name “Long Or” has a strong local character. The word “or” can evoke reeds or waterside plants in a Thai rural context, while “long” is found in several northern place names. Although no detailed public legend explains the name, the temple clearly reflects a close relationship between place name, village identity, and the local natural environment.

 

Mae Sun Subdistrict is an important rural area of Fang District. It contains many villages, agricultural communities, the Fang River, main roads, and routes leading to natural attractions in northern Chiang Mai. Wat Long Or is therefore well placed for travelers who want to understand Fang beyond its well-known natural attractions. A visit to this temple can be combined with other Mae Sun temples, the Mae Sun Oil Production Site, Fang Hot Springs, and Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park.

 

The temple’s main structures include the viharn, monks’ residences, and sermon hall. The viharn is the main worship space where visitors can pay respect to Buddha images, make merit, and experience the quiet atmosphere of a local Lanna temple. The monks’ residences support daily monastic life, while the sermon hall serves community and religious activities such as Dhamma listening, village merit-making, and Buddhist ceremonies.

 

The Buddha images at Wat Long Or are the main sacred objects of the temple. For local residents, Buddha images are not only religious art. They are the focus of worship, prayer, reflection, and moral practice. Visitors should begin their visit by paying respect to the Buddha, speaking quietly, and moving through the temple grounds with care and humility.

 

The viharn functions as the spiritual heart of the temple. In village temples, this space supports Buddhist holy days, offerings, Dhamma listening, and community religious gatherings. When local residents gather for merit-making, the viharn becomes a shared space where faith and village relationships are renewed. Wat Long Or therefore represents a living form of local Buddhism rather than a monument separated from daily life.

 

The sermon hall is also important because it supports both religious and social life. Local temples in northern Thailand often use the sermon hall for Dhamma talks, village meetings, robe offerings, merit-making preparations, and community activities. Wat Long Or therefore serves as both a Buddhist place and a social gathering space for Ban Long Or.

 

The monks’ residences should be treated respectfully as a monastic area. Visitors should not enter this zone without permission. The presence of resident monks allows the temple to maintain daily Buddhist practice, receive offerings, conduct chanting, support local ceremonies, and provide spiritual guidance for the community.

 

Phra Khru Suphat Punyakon, also known as Phra Athikan Thanaphon Suphatto, serves as the abbot of Wat Long Or. Royal Gazette information records that Phra Athikan Thanaphon of Wat Long Or, Chiang Mai Province, was granted the ecclesiastical title Phra Khru Suphat Punyakon. This reflects his role within the Sangha and the continuing religious administration of the temple.

 

Wat Long Or remains connected with current community religious life. The temple is included in Mae Sun’s Buddhist Lent candle offering activity. During Buddhist Lent, local residents offer candles and necessary items to support monks during the rains retreat. This tradition connects temples, local government, cultural groups, community leaders, and residents through shared Buddhist merit-making.

 

Other annual Buddhist activities associated with community temples include Buddhist holy day merit-making, almsgiving, Dhamma listening, forest robe offerings, Kathin after the rains retreat, memorial merit-making, and village ceremonies. These activities strengthen relationships between monks, families, village elders, and local residents. Wat Long Or plays this role for Ban Long Or and the wider Mae Sun area.

 

Wat Long Or has also served as a community activity space. In 2025, a district-level community development selection activity was held at Wat Long Or, with local officials, community leaders, and organizations participating. This shows that the temple functions beyond religious ceremonies. It can also support public activities, exhibitions, village learning, and community cooperation.

 

The main appeal of Wat Long Or is its quiet local character. It is not a large tourist temple designed for crowds. Its value lies in its village setting, religious continuity, and connection with the everyday life of Ban Long Or. Travelers interested in local temples, Lanna Buddhist culture, and the quieter side of Fang District will find this temple meaningful.

 

Important places to see at Wat Long Or include the viharn, Buddha images, sermon hall, temple grounds, and monastic area. Visitors should observe how the temple is used in real community life rather than treating it only as a photo stop. This approach gives a deeper understanding of the temple’s role as a spiritual and social center.

 

Mae Sun Subdistrict has several other local temples that can be combined with Wat Long Or, including Wat Mae Sun, Wat Thep Prasit, Wat Chai Kasem, Wat San Pu Loei, Wat Wiwek Karam, Wat Nong Yao, and Wat Doi San That. A temple route through Mae Sun helps visitors see how each village maintains its own Buddhist center while contributing to the wider religious landscape of Fang District.

 

The Mae Sun Oil Production Site is another nearby learning destination. It is connected with the history of petroleum exploration and local development in Fang District. Travelers can begin with worship at Wat Long Or, continue to the oil production site for historical learning, and then visit Fang Hot Springs or Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park for a nature-based experience.

 

Fang Hot Springs and Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park are two major natural attractions that pair well with a visit to Wat Long Or. Fang Hot Springs is suitable for nature relaxation, while Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park offers mountain landscapes and cool highland scenery. Adding Wat Long Or to this route creates a balanced itinerary combining faith, community culture, local history, food, and nature.

 

Getting There is easiest by private car or rental car. From Fang town, use Chotana Road or Highway 107 toward Mae Sun Subdistrict and continue to Ban Long Or, Moo 5. From Chiang Mai city, take Highway 107 through Mae Rim, Mae Taeng, and Chiang Dao toward Fang District, then connect to the Mae Sun area. Public transport can reach Fang District, but local transport may be needed for village temples and nearby attractions.

 

A recommended route begins with Wat Long Or for worship and a quiet local temple visit. Travelers can then continue to Wat Mae Sun, Wat Chai Kasem, Wat Thep Prasit, or Wat San Pu Loei. For a wider route, add the Mae Sun Oil Production Site, Fang Hot Springs, and Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park. This itinerary combines local Buddhism, village history, learning sites, food stops, and northern Chiang Mai nature.

 

The best time to visit is in the morning or late afternoon. Morning visits are suitable for worship and merit-making, while afternoon visits work well before continuing to restaurants or natural attractions. During Buddhist Lent, candle offering, robe offering, or Kathin periods, visitors should allow extra time and respect the ceremonial space of the local community.

 

Visitors should dress modestly, speak quietly, avoid entering monks’ residences without permission, and remove shoes where required. Photography should be done respectfully, especially when monks, local residents, or ceremonies are present. Wat Long Or is a living community temple, so respectful behavior is essential.

 

Overall, Wat Long Or is a meaningful Mahanikaya community temple in Ban Long Or, Mae Sun Subdistrict, Fang District, Chiang Mai Province. Built in 1939, it occupies 6 rai, 1 ngan, and 73 square wah of land and includes a viharn, monks’ residences, sermon hall, and Buddha images. It remains connected with Buddhist Lent candle offerings and community activities. The temple is suitable for travelers who want to worship, make merit, learn about local Lanna Buddhist life, and connect the visit with other Mae Sun temples, the Mae Sun Oil Production Site, Fang Hot Springs, Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park, local restaurants, and nearby accommodations.

 

 

A: Wat Long Or is located at 38 Ban Long Or, Chotana Road, Moo 5, Mae Sun Subdistrict, Fang District, Chiang Mai Province.

 

A: Wat Long Or was built in 1939 and serves as a Mahanikaya community temple for Ban Long Or in Mae Sun Subdistrict.

 

A: The temple is open daily from 08.00 to 17.00.

 

A: The abbot is Phra Khru Suphat Punyakon, also known as Phra Athikan Thanaphon Suphatto.

 

A: Important structures include the viharn, monks’ residences, sermon hall, temple grounds, and Buddha images used for worship.

 

A: Yes. It is suitable for travelers who want to worship, make merit, and visit a peaceful local Buddhist temple in Mae Sun Subdistrict.

 

A: The most convenient way is by private car or rental car from Fang town via Chotana Road or Highway 107 toward Mae Sun Subdistrict and Ban Long Or.

 

A: Travelers can combine the visit with Wat Mae Sun, Wat Chai Kasem, Wat Thep Prasit, Wat San Pu Loei, the Mae Sun Oil Production Site, Fang Hot Springs, and Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park.