Wat Nong Ya Plong

Open Days: Open daily

Opening Hours: 06:00 – 18:00

 

Wat Nong Ya Plong is a temple located in Sila Loi Subdistrict, Sam Roi Yot District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, one of the naturally beautiful areas in the upper southern part of Thailand. This temple is a village temple under the Mahanikaya sect and has long served as the spiritual center of the Ban Nong Ya Plong community and nearby areas for many decades. With its peaceful atmosphere, surrounded by mountains and nature, the temple is not only a place for religious ceremonies, but also a place where people can come to rest their minds, practice meditation, and learn the teachings of Buddhism in a meaningful way.

 

Wat Nong Ya Plong is located at 147 Ban Nong Ya Plong, Rural Highway Road, Moo 4, Sila Loi Subdistrict, Sam Roi Yot District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. The temple covers a total area of 9 rai, 3 ngan, and 75 square wah. The site has a distinctive setting near a mountain range. Its northern and eastern boundaries adjoin private land, while its southern and western sides border the mountain. This gives the temple a quiet and shaded atmosphere, making it well suited to merit-making, meditation practice, and spiritual relaxation.

 

The natural setting of Wat Nong Ya Plong is one of the main features that distinguishes it from other temples in the Sam Roi Yot area. The mountain behind the temple helps create a calm and cool atmosphere. As visitors enter the temple grounds, they can immediately feel the silence, hear the wind passing through the trees, and enjoy views of the still-abundant natural landscape. This makes the temple especially suitable for those seeking peace and mental comfort through meditation and religious practice.

 

In addition to being a place for Buddhist ceremonies, Wat Nong Ya Plong also plays an important role as a cultural and community center for Ban Nong Ya Plong. Local residents regularly gather here for religious activities such as merit-making on important Buddhist holy days, listening to Dhamma teachings, funeral rites, and other social activities connected with the temple. As a result, the temple holds great significance in the daily life of the community.

 

The history of Wat Nong Ya Plong is closely tied to the cooperation of local villagers who wanted to establish a place for meditation practice and religious ceremonies. Originally, the area was the site of Khao Hiang Monastic Residence, which arose from the community’s wish to provide a place for monks to reside during the rains retreat and practice meditation. Later, the villagers worked together to develop the monastic residence into an officially established temple.

 

An important figure in the founding of Wat Nong Ya Plong was Mrs. Leng Wisetsombat, a community leader in the area and a devoted supporter of Buddhism. Mrs. Leng initiated the idea of establishing a monastic residence so that monks could stay there during the rains retreat and spread Buddhist teachings to local residents.

 

Later, in 1985, local residents joined together to donate money to purchase the land from Mr. Prachak Phutthaupatam in order to use it as the site for establishing the temple. After the necessary procedures were completed, Wat Nong Ya Plong was officially granted permission to be established as a temple on June 13, 1986. This marked an important beginning in the temple’s development.

 

After receiving official permission to become a temple, the villagers and monks continued to develop Wat Nong Ya Plong steadily. Various temple buildings were constructed for religious activities and to support those who came to practice meditation. These buildings have become important parts of the temple as it stands today.

 

One of the most important structures in the temple is the ordination hall, which was built in 1990. It is a large reinforced concrete building measuring approximately 25 meters wide and 50 meters long. Inside the ordination hall is the principal Buddha image, designed in the style of a replica of Luang Pho Wat Rai Khing, a revered Buddha image highly respected by local residents.

 

In addition to the ordination hall, Wat Nong Ya Plong also has a sermon hall used for religious ceremonies and community activities. The sermon hall measures approximately 10 meters wide and 28 meters long. It was built in 1977 and continues to serve as an important venue for various temple activities to this day.

 

Within the temple there is also a chanting hall used for chanting ceremonies and other religious functions. This chanting hall measures approximately 10 meters wide and 14 meters long. It was also built in 1977 and continues to be used regularly by monks and local residents for religious observances.

 

Wat Nong Ya Plong also has 3 monks’ residences, which are half-concrete and half-wooden buildings used as living quarters for the monks residing at the temple. There is also a vihara measuring approximately 7 meters wide and 28 meters long, built in 1974, which is used for enshrining Buddha images and conducting religious ceremonies.

 

In addition, there is a multipurpose pavilion measuring approximately 10 meters wide and 30 meters long, built in 1987, to support various temple activities such as merit-making events, traditional ceremonies, and community gatherings. The temple also has a funeral pavilion, a kitchen building, and a crematorium used for religious rites and important community ceremonies.

 

Wat Nong Ya Plong also plays an important role in education. Within the temple grounds there is a Dhamma studies school, which was opened in 1987. This school helps promote Buddhist education for monks and novices, while also allowing local residents to learn Buddhist principles and teachings correctly and systematically.

 

At present, Wat Nong Ya Plong has Phra Maha Boonchu Kittiyano as its abbot. He is a monk respected by local residents and plays an important role in caring for the temple, as well as promoting Buddhist activities and community programs on an ongoing basis.

 

Visitors who come to Wat Nong Ya Plong will experience the peaceful and natural atmosphere of the Sam Roi Yot area. The temple is therefore well suited to those who wish to make merit, pay respect to sacred images, practice meditation, or simply rest their minds from the busyness of daily life. It can also serve as a worthwhile stop during a trip around Sam Roi Yot and Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.

 

Wat Nong Ya Plong can therefore be seen as a place that reflects the faith of the local community and the importance of Buddhism in the everyday life of the people in the area. Although it is not a very large temple, it holds deep meaning for both local residents and visitors. It is not only a place for religious ceremonies, but also a place that helps bring peace and emotional well-being to those who come here.

 

Getting There to Wat Nong Ya Plong is convenient via routes from Sam Roi Yot District or Pran Buri District. Once you enter Sila Loi Subdistrict, continue toward Ban Nong Ya Plong, then follow the Rural Highway Road and local community signposts to the temple. Visitors traveling by private car can take the route from Hua Hin toward Sam Roi Yot, which usually takes around 40–50 minutes.

 

 

A: The temple is located in Sila Loi Subdistrict, Sam Roi Yot District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.

 

A: The temple was officially established on June 13, 1986.

 

A: The principal Buddha image inside the ordination hall is modeled after Luang Pho Wat Rai Khing.

 

A: Yes. It is very suitable because the temple is located in a quiet area with a natural atmosphere.

 

A: There are several important attractions nearby, including Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, Phraya Nakhon Cave, and Sam Roi Yot Beach.