Wat Phra That Kaeng Soi

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: Open according to boat schedules and water conditions in Bhumibol Dam Reservoir

 

Wat Phra That Kaeng Soi, also known as Wat Phra Borommathat Kaeng Soi, is one of the most historically and spiritually significant temples in Sam Ngao District, Tak Province. Located along the Ping River within the Bhumibol Dam reservoir area, the temple stands among mountains, forested slopes, and the quiet waters of northern Tak. It is an ancient Buddhist sanctuary connected with Lanna history, the legend of sacred relics, the old city of Kaeng Soi, and the annual water-pouring tradition for the sacred stupa. What makes this temple especially distinctive is that it can be reached only by water. Visitors must travel by boat or raft through the Ping River reservoir, making the journey itself part of the pilgrimage experience.

 

The temple is located in Ban Na Subdistrict, Sam Ngao District, Tak Province, on the edge of the Bhumibol Dam reservoir along the Ping River. In the past, this area was part of an important river route connected with old Lanna communities and settlements along the upper Ping River. After the construction of Bhumibol Dam, the landscape changed dramatically, and many low-lying areas became part of the reservoir. Wat Phra That Kaeng Soi remains one of the most meaningful sacred sites still visible above the water, preserving the memory of an older cultural and religious landscape.

 

Unlike most temples that can be reached by road, Wat Phra That Kaeng Soi requires careful travel planning. Cars cannot reach the temple directly. Visitors must use a boat or raft service from Bhumibol Dam or another water-route access point connected to the Ping River. The travel time depends on the departure point, type of boat, weather, water level, and the program arranged by the operator. This water-only access gives the temple a rare sense of remoteness and peace. It is a destination for travelers who want more than a quick temple visit and are willing to experience a deeper cultural journey.

 

The history of Wat Phra That Kaeng Soi is closely associated with the old city of Kaeng Soi, sometimes referred to in local traditions as Mueang Soi. Local legends describe the area as an ancient settlement with communities living along the Ping River. The temple is linked with the belief that the Buddha once passed through this area and left sacred hair relics, which were later enshrined in a stupa. The name “Kaeng Soi” is also connected with local landscape and the abundance of “soi” flowers mentioned in local tradition. These stories give the temple a strong sacred identity that reaches beyond ordinary local history.

 

Wat Phra That Kaeng Soi is also connected with Queen Chamadevi, the legendary ruler of Hariphunchai and an important figure in the spread of Buddhism in northern Thailand. According to local tradition, Queen Chamadevi once passed along the Ping River route and restored the sacred stupa more than 1,000 years ago. Her association with the temple places Kaeng Soi within the broader cultural sphere of Lanna history, where river routes, Buddhist relics, and royal patronage were closely linked.

 

Another important figure in the temple’s historical memory is Phaya Patumma Racha, remembered as the last ruler of Kaeng Soi. Local accounts describe him as a ruler who supported the city and restored many Buddhist temples, with traditions mentioning as many as 99 temples in Mueang Soi. Whether read as history, legend, or local memory, this story reflects the former religious importance of the area. It suggests that Kaeng Soi was once a thriving Buddhist center along the Ping River before the modern reservoir landscape transformed the region.

 

The sacred stupa of Wat Phra That Kaeng Soi is the heart of the temple. It is believed to enshrine the Buddha’s hair relic and relics associated with the left arm of the Lord Buddha. For local communities and pilgrims, this belief gives the site exceptional spiritual value. Visitors come to pay respect, make merit, offer prayers, and take part in the continued preservation of the temple. The journey to the stupa is therefore both physical and spiritual: a passage through water, mountains, and silence toward a sacred place that has been revered for generations.

 

In the modern era, the temple was significantly restored in 1924 by Khru Ba Chao Sriwichai Sirivichayo, the revered saint of Lanna. His restoration of the sacred stupa and temple grounds helped revive the site and reconnect it with the broader Lanna Buddhist world. For many northern Thai Buddhists, Khru Ba Sriwichai represents devotion, perseverance, and temple restoration. His role at Kaeng Soi adds another important layer to the temple’s spiritual significance.

 

Later, as the stupa deteriorated over time, another major restoration took place in 1994 under Khru Ba Chao Chaiyawongsa Phatthana Chanthawongso, a spiritual successor in the Lanna saintly tradition. He restored and strengthened the stupa and temple structures, allowing the sacred site to continue serving pilgrims and local communities. The restoration line from Khru Ba Sriwichai to Khru Ba Chaiyawongsa Phatthana is central to the temple’s modern identity and helps explain why the temple remains deeply respected today.

 

The natural setting is one of the most powerful aspects of visiting Wat Phra That Kaeng Soi. The temple is surrounded by mountains and the waters of Bhumibol Dam reservoir. The boat journey offers views of layered hills, open water, forested slopes, and quiet stretches of the Ping River. As the boat moves farther from the dam area and deeper into the reservoir landscape, the atmosphere gradually becomes quieter and more contemplative. By the time visitors reach the temple, the journey has already prepared them for a peaceful religious experience.

 

The temple’s main annual tradition is the ceremony known in Thai as “Prเพณีขึ้นไหว้สาสรงน้ำพระบรมธาตุแก่งสร้อย,” the annual pilgrimage and water-pouring ceremony for the sacred relic stupa. It is held around April each year and draws local villagers, devotees from nearby areas, and pilgrims from other provinces. Participants travel by boat or raft to the temple to pay respect and pour water over the sacred stupa as an act of devotion and blessing. This tradition is one of the most important living expressions of faith connected with Wat Phra That Kaeng Soi.

 

The water-pouring ceremony is meaningful because it combines Buddhist merit-making, Lanna-style devotion, and community memory. The act of pouring water over the sacred stupa symbolizes purification, reverence, and a wish for auspiciousness. Because the temple is remote and accessible only by water, the journey to join the ceremony becomes part of the ritual itself. Families, villagers, and groups of devotees travel together across the reservoir, carrying offerings and shared faith toward the sacred site.

 

For cultural travelers, Wat Phra That Kaeng Soi offers a layered historical experience. It brings together the legend of the Buddha’s relics, Queen Chamadevi, the old city of Kaeng Soi, Phaya Patumma Racha, Khru Ba Sriwichai, Khru Ba Chaiyawongsa Phatthana, and the changing landscape after the creation of Bhumibol Dam. Few places in Tak Province combine so many themes in one location. The temple is therefore suitable for travelers who want to understand history, faith, landscape, and local memory in a single journey.

 

Visitors should prepare carefully before traveling. Because the site is remote, it is important to contact a boat or raft operator in advance, confirm the route, check the water level and weather conditions, and allow enough time for the round trip. Useful items include drinking water, sun protection, modest clothing, personal medicine, a waterproof bag for phones and documents, and suitable footwear for getting on and off the boat. Travelers should also help keep the temple and reservoir clean by taking all rubbish back with them.

 

Respectful behavior is essential. Wat Phra That Kaeng Soi is not only a scenic attraction but also a sacred Buddhist site. Visitors should dress modestly, speak quietly, avoid touching sacred objects without permission, and be considerate during ceremonies. During the annual water-pouring festival, photography should be done respectfully without disturbing worshippers or ritual activities. The temple’s remoteness and sacred character make respectful travel especially important.

 

The temple can be combined with other attractions around Bhumibol Dam. Travelers may visit Bhumibol Dam, the dam viewpoint, the commemorative park, and nearby dam facilities before or after the boat trip. Those traveling from the Lamphun side may use the Lamphun–Li–Ko route and continue by boat depending on available services. Because restaurants and accommodation are not located directly beside the temple, most practical options are found near Bhumibol Dam, Sam Ngao District, or departure points for boats and rafts.

 

Wat Phra That Kaeng Soi is especially suitable for travelers interested in old temples, sacred relics, Lanna history, boat journeys, remote Buddhist sites, and quiet nature-based cultural travel. It is not a quick roadside stop. The temple is best experienced slowly, with time allowed for the boat journey, worship, photography, and reflection. Its distance from modern roads is part of its value, preserving a rare sense of stillness that is increasingly difficult to find at more accessible tourist sites.

 

In summary, Wat Phra That Kaeng Soi is one of the most remarkable sacred sites in Tak Province. It is an ancient temple connected with the Ping River, the old Lanna cultural sphere, Queen Chamadevi, Phaya Patumma Racha, Khru Ba Sriwichai, and Khru Ba Chaiyawongsa Phatthana. Its sacred stupa, annual water-pouring tradition, and boat-only access make it a powerful destination for both pilgrims and cultural travelers. A visit to this temple offers not only a chance to pay respect but also a rare journey into the history, faith, and landscape of the upper Ping River.

 

 

A: Wat Phra That Kaeng Soi is located in Ban Na Subdistrict, Sam Ngao District, Tak Province, along the Ping River in the Bhumibol Dam reservoir area.

 

A: Visitors must travel by boat or raft only, because there is no direct road access to the temple. Boat schedules, water levels, and weather should be checked before departure.

 

A: It is an ancient sacred site connected with relic legends, the old Kaeng Soi area, Queen Chamadevi, Khru Ba Sriwichai, and the annual water-pouring tradition for the sacred stupa.

 

A: Khru Ba Sriwichai restored the sacred stupa in 1924, reviving the temple as an important Lanna Buddhist pilgrimage site.

 

A: The main annual tradition is the pilgrimage and water-pouring ceremony for Phra Borommathat Kaeng Soi, usually held around April each year.

 

A: Visitors should prepare drinking water, sun protection, modest clothing, personal medicine, waterproof bags, and contact a boat or raft operator in advance.

 

A: Nearby route-based attractions include Bhumibol Dam, Bhumibol Dam Viewpoint, Bhumibol Dam Commemorative Park, Wat Chonprathan Rangsan, Ban Ko, and Doi Tao depending on the chosen boat route.

 

A: Yes. It is suitable for travelers interested in sacred relic temples, Lanna history, boat journeys, remote Buddhist sites, and quiet nature-based cultural travel.