Wat Si Roi

Rating: 4.5/5 (4 votes)

Open Days: Open Daily

Opening Hours: 08:00 – 17:00

 

Wat Si Roi is located on the banks of the Noi River in Moo 4, Si Roi Subdistrict, Wiset Chai Chan District, Ang Thong Province. It is a temple many people in Ang Thong have “heard of before they truly know,” because the name immediately raises curiosity—why “Si Roi” (four hundred)? The significance of this place goes beyond being a community temple for merit-making in the Thai way. It is also a space where local memory has been carefully preserved: stories of war, loss, faith, and the determination of people who want the most important chapters of their hometown to remain alive.

 

The temple’s location is easy to access. Visitors typically use Highway 3454 around kilometer markers 31–32 (along the Pho Phra Ya–Tha Ruea route, or the Ang Thong–Wiset Chai Chan route). From Ang Thong city (Mueang Ang Thong District), head west for about 12.5 kilometers, then turn left onto the irrigation canal road and continue for roughly 5 kilometers. On arrival, the scene is a riverside temple with a calm, unhurried atmosphere—one that invites you to slow down and notice the details, rather than simply “check in and move on,” because the temple’s stories carry deeper layers than a typical visit for worship alone.

 

The origin of the name “Si Roi” sits at the heart of understanding this temple. It is believed that both the subdistrict name and the temple name were established as a memorial to Khun Rong Palat Chu and 400 villagers from Wiset Chai Chan who lost their lives in the Thai–Burmese conflict at Mueang Kui during the reign of King Ekkathat of the Ayutthaya Kingdom in 2302 B.E. (1759). This narrative acts like a bridge, helping visitors see that some community temples hold meaning beyond religion: they function as monuments of collective memory, created to tell the past through a living sacred space that remains active today.

 

Seen through the lens of local history, Wat Si Roi is not only a destination for temple-hopping. It is a page in the long story of Wiset Chai Chan, once a significant community in central Thailand, connected to trade, transportation routes, and the mobilization of people during times when the country faced the threats of war. In many places, remembrance of sacrifice may appear as a street name or a monument, but here that memory is held within the name “Si Roi” itself, and continues through the temple where people still come to worship, make merit, and gather on important religious days.

 

The best-known highlight of Wat Si Roi is a large Buddha image in the Pa Lelai posture, standing 21 meters tall with a lap width of a little over 6 meters. The statue is known as “Luang Pho To,” and many locals also call it “Luang Pho Rong Hai” (the Crying Luang Pho). The Pa Lelai posture symbolizes calm and inner steadiness amid worldly uncertainty. With such a monumental scale set within a riverside temple, the statue feels like a visible center of faith, allowing visitors to sense the temple’s presence even before approaching the ordination hall.

 

The name “Luang Pho Rong Hai” is closely linked to a widely discussed event in 2530 B.E. (1987), when it was said that blood flowed from the statue’s nose. The story drew intense public attention, and people from Ang Thong and nearby provinces sought opportunities to visit and pay respects. From an anthropological perspective, “faith narratives” often turn community temples into shared spiritual spaces that people want to experience for themselves. For Wat Si Roi, this episode became part of the temple’s enduring public memory and is one reason its name continues to be widely mentioned today.

 

Inside the ordination hall (ubosot), Wat Si Roi once had mural paintings created by Ayutthaya-era artisans that were known for exceptional beauty, but today the paintings have completely faded. This reflects a reality of “community-temple art”—it is vulnerable to time, humidity, restoration methods, and environmental change. When what was once vivid disappears, leaving only stories and memory behind, the value of Wat Si Roi becomes even clearer. Its worth does not rest on newness or grandeur, but on being a place with meaningful narratives that visitors can learn from, and a reminder that local art heritage always depends on shared care by the community and those involved.

 

If you visit Wat Si Roi with the intention of cultural travel that offers “both merit and understanding,” begin by paying respects to Luang Pho To with composure, then walk quietly around the temple grounds and notice how the Noi River setting gives the place a distinct charm. From there, make merit in your own way—whether by offering donations or supporting the temple’s upkeep. At the same time, observe proper etiquette in a religious site: dress modestly, avoid loud noise, and do not disturb those engaged in religious activities. Serenity is the temple’s core value, and it is what makes worship here feel different from ordinary tourist stops.

 

What makes Wat Si Roi even more worthwhile is viewing it as the beginning of a “faith route in Ang Thong.” The Wiset Chai Chan area and nearby districts feature several important temples, as well as community markets that reflect riverside life and central Thai trade traditions. With thoughtful planning, a visit to Wat Si Roi can become a relaxed one-day trip: start by paying respects to Luang Pho To, enjoy the riverside atmosphere, then continue to another temple or stop for local food before returning. This creates a trip with real “content,” rather than a journey to only a single point.

 

Getting There Driving to Wat Si Roi is straightforward. Use Highway 3454 and look for kilometer markers 31–32 (Pho Phra Ya–Tha Ruea route, or Ang Thong–Wiset Chai Chan route). From Mueang Ang Thong District, head west for about 12.5 kilometers, then turn left onto the irrigation canal road and continue for approximately 5 kilometers to reach the temple. If traveling by public transport, it is practical to first reach Wiset Chai Chan District or Ang Thong city area, then take local transport onward to Si Roi Subdistrict. It is recommended to allow extra time, as local transport services may run less frequently than in major cities.

 

 

A: Wat Si Roi is on the banks of the Noi River in Moo 4, Si Roi Subdistrict, Wiset Chai Chan District, Ang Thong Province.

 

A: The main highlight is Luang Pho To, a large Pa Lelai Buddha image that locals also call “Luang Pho Rong Hai,” along with the “Si Roi” name story that is linked to local history.

 

A: There is a widely shared account that in 2530 B.E. (1987), blood flowed from the statue’s nose, which drew many visitors to come and pay respects, and the name has remained in popular use.

 

A: It is generally open daily from about 08:00 – 17:00. Morning or late afternoon is recommended for a more comfortable walk around the temple grounds.

 

A: Use Highway 3454 around kilometer markers 31–32, then turn left onto the irrigation canal road and continue for about 5 kilometers to reach the temple.

 

A: It suits visitors who enjoy temple visits and merit-making, as well as those interested in local history narratives, especially anyone looking for a peaceful riverside temple atmosphere that is not overly crowded.