Wat Kasem Sutharam

Rating: 4/5 (10 votes)

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 06:00 – 18:00

 

Wat Kasem Sutharam is located at 99 Tha Kham Village, Sai Sam Road, Moo 1, Tha Khoi Subdistrict, Tha Yang District, Phetchaburi Province. As a local temple under the Thai Sangha tradition, it has long played an important role in the Tha Yang community. Beyond being a place for monastic duties and Buddhist ceremonies, the temple serves as a spiritual anchor, a learning space, and a social hub that has closely connected people from Tha Kham, Tha Ton Pho, and Wang Khun Dan villages for decades.

 

The area surrounding Wat Kasem Sutharam reflects the rural landscape of lower Phetchaburi, with agricultural land, local homes, and community roads linking to Tha Yang town and nearby areas. The calm, unpretentious environment makes the temple well suited for meditation and religious practice, as well as for visitors who come to pay respects and find peace of mind, whether they are residents of the area or travelers from elsewhere.

 

The history of Wat Kasem Sutharam began around 1941 (B.E. 2484), a period when Thailand and rural communities were undergoing major change amid wartime economic and social conditions. Villagers from nearby communities—including Tha Ton Pho, Tha Kham, and Wang Khun Dan—joined together to build a temporary monks’ residence so that monks could stay, observe the rains retreat, and carry out religious activities. As the number of monks and the community’s faith grew, permanent monk quarters and additional monastic buildings were gradually constructed.

 

Wat Kasem Sutharam was officially established as a temple on 4 February 1957 (B.E. 2500). In the same year, it received a royal grant of Wisungkhamsima on 26 August 1957 (B.E. 2500), with a boundary measuring 40 meters wide and 80 meters long. This royal boundary is a significant milestone, reflecting the temple’s completeness as a religious institution and enabling ordinations to be conducted properly in accordance with Buddhist discipline. It also serves as historical evidence of the temple’s recognized status within Thailand’s ecclesiastical structure.

 

The temple land covers a total area of 15 rai 1 ngan 65 square wah, documented under Sor Kor 1 No. 33760. In addition, the temple holds one plot of monastic land (thoranisong) measuring 2 rai 36 square wah under Chanote title deed No. 14073. This land supports various temple activities, including agriculture, development of monastic facilities, and community-based public benefit events. The presence of dedicated monastic land underscores the temple’s stability in both structural planning and long-term resource management.

 

Architecturally, Wat Kasem Sutharam contains several key structures that show the temple’s development over time. The ubosot, the spiritual heart of the temple, was built in 1955 (B.E. 2498) in a traditional Thai style. It is a brick-and-mortar structure measuring 7.70 meters wide and 18.20 meters long, with hardwood elements in the upper structure and a roof covered with scale-pattern tiles. This design reflects the post-war rural Central Thai temple style: simple, durable, and closely aligned with local materials and practical construction methods.

 

The chanting hall was built in 1987 (B.E. 2530) as a Thai-style brick-and-mortar building measuring 7.30 meters wide and 24.30 meters long. It is used for ceremonies, chanting, daily prayers, and religious activities that accommodate larger groups of lay Buddhists. The temple also has seven monks’ living quarters (kuti), constructed as wooden buildings, reflecting the modest and simple monastic lifestyle typical of rural temples.

 

The multipurpose pavilion was built in 1977 (B.E. 2520) as a single-story Thai-style brick-and-mortar structure, measuring 13 meters wide and 24 meters long. It functions as a key venue for community activities, merit-making events, meetings, and other public benefit gatherings. The temple kitchen—a brick building with a steel framework and corrugated tile roofing—supports temple festivals, ceremonies, and communal meals for participants during major events.

 

In terms of sacred objects, Wat Kasem Sutharam enshrines a principal Buddha image in the Mara-vijaya posture, created in 1986 (B.E. 2529), which serves as a central focus of faith for worshippers. The temple also houses two sculpted Buddha images estimated to have been created around 2037 (B.E. 2580) and two additional Buddha images created in 1942 (B.E. 2485). Together, these reflect the continuing tradition of Buddhist art-making at the temple and the enduring devotion of the community across different periods. These images hold not only artistic value but also represent a deep bond between the temple and local people.

 

The administration and monastic leadership of Wat Kasem Sutharam has been maintained continuously through successive abbots. The first abbot was Phra Thongbai (1941–1944, B.E. 2484–2487), followed by Phra Athikan Chin Phutthasalo (1944–1961, B.E. 2487–2504), Phra Athikan Tuean (1961–1972, B.E. 2504–2515), Phra Khru Khanti Watcharakun (1972–1997, B.E. 2515–2540), and the current abbot Phra Athikan Phairoj Chiro Rotchano, who has served since 1997 (B.E. 2540) to the present. Each abbot has contributed to the temple’s development, including physical improvements, educational work, and collaboration with the local community.

 

Wat Kasem Sutharam also plays a significant role in education. A Dhamma studies program (Phra Pariyatti Thamma, Dhamma Division) has been offered since 1957 (B.E. 2500) to support systematic learning of Buddhist teachings among monks and novices. Later, in 2000 (B.E. 2543), the temple established a pre-kindergarten training center, reflecting the temple’s function as a community learning hub and a contributor to local human development.

 

Getting There is convenient by private car. From Phetchaburi town, travel toward Tha Yang District and then follow local signs into Tha Khoi Subdistrict. A private car is the most practical option because the approach involves local roads, and the temple has on-site parking sufficient for visitors.

 

With its history, religious role, and deep ties to surrounding villages, Wat Kasem Sutharam is a clear example of a local temple that reflects the Buddhist way of life in rural Central Thailand. It is well suited for visitors interested in local history, community culture, and cultural travel that emphasizes calmness, simplicity, and authenticity.

 

 

A: The temple began as a monks’ residence around 1941 (B.E. 2484) and was officially established as a temple in 1957 (B.E. 2500).

 

A: The temple is located in Tha Yang District, Phetchaburi Province.

 

A: The current abbot is Phra Athikan Phairoj Chiro Rotchano.

 

A: Visiting by private car is recommended. From Phetchaburi town, head toward Tha Yang District and follow local signs into Tha Khoi Subdistrict.

 

A: It is well suited for cultural travel, local-history learning, and quiet visits focused on Buddhist practice and peaceful atmosphere.