Wat Sri Wari Sathan

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 06.00 – 18.00

 

Wat Sri Wari Sathan, also known locally as Wat Nam Thong, is located at 23 Moo 2, Ban Nam Thong, Sob Mae Kha Subdistrict, Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai Province. It is a private Buddhist temple under the Mahanikaya order and an important community temple for Ban Nam Thong. The temple was officially established in 1931 and covers 4 rai and 2 ngan. It remains a living religious space where local people make merit, listen to sermons, join Buddhist ceremonies, and maintain Lanna Buddhist traditions within the Sob Mae Kha community.

 

Sob Mae Kha Subdistrict lies on the eastern side of Hang Dong District and is closely associated with the Mae Kha River and the Ping River. The name Sob Mae Kha refers to the area where the Mae Kha watercourse meets the Ping River. This lowland environment has shaped village settlement, agriculture, community life, and temple history. Ban Nam Thong is one of the villages in this subdistrict, and Wat Sri Wari Sathan serves as the village’s main religious anchor.

 

The former name of Wat Sri Wari Sathan was Wat Nam Thong, a name connected with Ban Nam Thong and the local landscape. The current name, Wat Sri Wari Sathan, carries an auspicious meaning. “Sri” suggests blessing, beauty, and prosperity; “wari” means water; and “sathan” means place. Together, the name suggests a blessed and peaceful place connected with water, which fits the temple’s setting in the lowland environment of Sob Mae Kha.

 

The temple history is closely tied to the local environment. The former temple site was partly eroded by water, which shows the real relationship between sacred space and the waterways of the community. Many Lanna temples were built near water sources or irrigation routes because water was essential to settlement, agriculture, and daily life. The story of erosion at Wat Nam Thong therefore preserves an important layer of local history and community adaptation.

 

Wat Sri Wari Sathan was officially established as a temple in 1931. This confirms its long-standing role as a community temple of Ban Nam Thong. For nearly a century, the temple has served as a place for religious practice, village ceremonies, memorial rites, and community gatherings. Its value lies not in large-scale tourism, but in its continuous role in the everyday Buddhist life of the local people.

 

The abbot named in temple information is Phra Athikan Boonsri Yanawaro. In a community temple, the abbot plays an important role as a religious leader, caretaker of temple order, coordinator of Buddhist activities, and point of connection between monks and villagers. The presence of monastic leadership keeps the temple active as a living religious institution rather than only a listed historic site.

 

The temple compound covers 4 rai and 2 ngan. This space supports worship, merit-making, ceremonies, community gatherings, and village Buddhist activities. Wat Sri Wari Sathan has the character of a local community temple: modest, practical, and closely connected with the people who use and maintain it. Visitors should appreciate it as a living temple rather than a commercial tourist attraction.

 

The best way to visit Wat Sri Wari Sathan is to begin with quiet worship, then spend a short time observing the temple courtyard and community-use areas. The temple is suitable for travelers who want to see a quieter side of Chiang Mai and understand how Buddhism functions in village life. Its appeal comes from its local identity, its connection with Ban Nam Thong, and its role in the wider temple network of Sob Mae Kha.

 

The temple’s main value lies in its role as the spiritual center of Ban Nam Thong. Local residents gather here for Buddhist holy days, merit-making, ceremonies, and communal activities. The temple is a familiar place where families, relatives, neighbors, elders, and younger generations meet through religious practice. This community role is central to Lanna Buddhist culture.

 

Regular Buddhist events at Wat Sri Wari Sathan follow the annual rhythm of village temple life. These include Buddhist holy day merit-making, kathin, pha pa, sermons, Visakha Bucha, Asalha Bucha, Buddhist Lent, the end of Buddhist Lent, and memorial merit-making. Such activities allow the village to preserve Buddhist practice, gratitude, social cooperation, and relationships across generations.

 

Wat Sri Wari Sathan also reflects the relationship between community and water. The former name Wat Nam Thong and the history of water erosion at the previous temple area show how the temple developed in a landscape shaped by waterways. When the temple became known as Wat Sri Wari Sathan, the word “wari” continued to preserve the symbolic connection with water, peace, and auspiciousness.

 

Sob Mae Kha Subdistrict has several religious sites, including Wat Rattanaram Mai, Wat Sri Wari Sathan, Wat Chai Sathan, Phra Chao Amon Lin Monastic Residence, and Wat Chantharawat. Each temple serves its own village while forming part of the wider Buddhist network of the subdistrict. Wat Sri Wari Sathan is therefore an important element in the religious and cultural landscape of Sob Mae Kha.

 

For cultural travelers, Wat Sri Wari Sathan can be combined with other nearby temples such as Wat Chai Sathan, Wat Chantharawat, and Wat Sa Kaeo. Visiting several temples in Sob Mae Kha provides a clearer view of how village temples support local life and how faith is distributed across communities rather than concentrated only in major landmark temples.

 

A broader Hang Dong route can continue from Wat Sri Wari Sathan to Kad Farang Village, Baan Tawai Handicraft Village, Wat Ton Kwen, Royal Park Rajapruek, and Grand Canyon Water Park Chiang Mai. This route combines community temples, Lanna architecture, handicrafts, restaurants, accommodations, and family-friendly attractions in one connected area.

 

Wat Sri Wari Sathan is suitable for travelers who prefer quiet and respectful temple visits. It is recommended for elderly visitors who want to make merit, families passing through Hang Dong, cultural travelers interested in local temples, and visitors who want to understand Chiang Mai through village life rather than only through major tourist temples in the old city.

 

Getting There is convenient by private car, rental car, or hired transport from Chiang Mai city. Take Chiang Mai–Hang Dong Road or Route 108 toward Hang Dong District, then continue into Sob Mae Kha Subdistrict and Ban Nam Thong, Moo 2. The drive from central Chiang Mai generally takes around 25 to 40 minutes depending on traffic. Travelers using local transport can take a Chiang Mai–Hang Dong route vehicle and continue by hired transport or ride-hailing service.

 

The best time to visit is in the morning or late afternoon when the weather is more comfortable. Visitors should dress modestly, keep noise low, respect monks’ areas, avoid disturbing worshippers, and take photos with discretion. If a temple ceremony is taking place, local participants should be given priority. Wat Sri Wari Sathan remains an active community temple, so a respectful and quiet visit is the best way to experience it.

 

In summary, Wat Sri Wari Sathan is a Mahanikaya community temple in Ban Nam Thong, Sob Mae Kha Subdistrict, Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai Province. Its story connects the former name Wat Nam Thong, the water-shaped landscape of Sob Mae Kha, the temple’s establishment in 1931, and its continuing role as a village spiritual center. It is a meaningful stop for travelers exploring the cultural and community-temple routes of Hang Dong.

 

 

A: Wat Sri Wari Sathan is located at 23 Moo 2, Ban Nam Thong, Sob Mae Kha Subdistrict, Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai 50230, Thailand.

 

A: The temple was formerly known as Wat Nam Thong, a name connected with Ban Nam Thong and the water-shaped landscape of Sob Mae Kha.

 

A: Wat Sri Wari Sathan was officially established as a temple in 1931.

 

A: The temple is a spiritual center for Ban Nam Thong and Sob Mae Kha, supporting merit-making, sermons, Buddhist ceremonies, and community traditions.

 

A: Wat Sri Wari Sathan is open daily from 06.00 to 18.00.

 

A: Take Chiang Mai–Hang Dong Road or Route 108 toward Hang Dong District, then continue into Sob Mae Kha Subdistrict and Ban Nam Thong, Moo 2. Private car, rental car, or hired transport is the most convenient option.

 

A: Nearby places include Wat Chai Sathan, Wat Chantharawat, Wat Sa Kaeo, Kad Farang Village, Baan Tawai Handicraft Village, Wat Ton Kwen, and Royal Park Rajapruek.