Wat Kriang Krai Klang

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: Contact the temple in advance to visit the old viharn outside festival periods

 

Wat Kriang Krai Klang is an old riverside Buddhist temple in Kriang Krai Subdistrict, Mueang Nakhon Sawan District, Nakhon Sawan Province. Set along the Nan River, the temple is known for its historic atmosphere, a bronze Buddha image in the Sukhothai style, an old viharn from the reign of King Rama V, a replica Buddha footprint, Buddhist mural paintings, resident monkeys near the temple entrance, and a crocodile farm within the temple area.

 

For travelers looking for cultural attractions in Nakhon Sawan, Wat Kriang Krai Klang offers a quieter and more local experience than the main temples in the city center. The temple is not only a place of worship but also a site where local history, Buddhist art, and riverside community life come together naturally.

 

The most important sacred image at the temple is Luang Pho Samrit, a Buddha image in the subduing Mara posture. The image is associated with a long local story connected to the decline of Sukhothai and periods of warfare. According to the traditional account, people from Sukhothai placed the Buddha image on a raft and sent it down the river to protect it from war. When the raft reached the Chiang Klai river mouth, it sank, and the image was later recovered and covered with plaster for protection.

 

During the early Ayutthaya period, the temple was established at the place where the Buddha image was kept. The image was hidden inside the wall of the ordination hall to protect it from further conflict. Over time, the story faded from common memory until repairs were carried out in 1968. At first, the image appeared to be an ordinary plaster Buddha, but as the plaster surface came away, the valuable metal image inside was revealed.

 

The old viharn is another major highlight of Wat Kriang Krai Klang. Built during the reign of King Rama V between 1857 and 1887, it remains one of the temple’s most atmospheric historic structures. Inside are a replica Buddha footprint and mural paintings depicting Buddhist jataka stories. The building gives visitors a clear sense of older religious architecture and local Buddhist storytelling.

 

Visitors should treat the old viharn with care. The murals and historic surfaces should not be touched, and photography or access should follow the temple’s guidance. The viharn is generally opened during festival periods. Travelers who wish to visit outside those periods should contact the temple in advance.

 

The temple grounds also have a lively character because many monkeys live near the front area. They are part of the temple’s identity, but visitors should be careful. Do not hold food, plastic bags, or valuables openly, do not tease the monkeys, and keep children close at all times.

 

Wat Kriang Krai Klang is suitable for travelers interested in Buddhist history, Sukhothai-style art, old temple architecture, mural paintings, and local riverside culture. It can also be combined with other Nakhon Sawan attractions such as Paradise Park, Wat Khiriwong, Nakhon Sawan Tower, and Bueng Boraphet for a half-day or full-day itinerary.

 

Getting There is easiest by private car or local transport from Nakhon Sawan city. Follow the Nakhon Sawan–Chum Saeng route toward Kriang Krai Subdistrict. The temple is located along the Nan River and can be planned as part of a cultural route north of the city center.

 

 

A: Wat Kriang Krai Klang is located in Moo 5, Kriang Krai Subdistrict, Mueang Nakhon Sawan District, Nakhon Sawan Province, along the Nan River.

 

A: The temple is known for Luang Pho Samrit, a Sukhothai-style bronze Buddha image, an old Rama V-period viharn, a replica Buddha footprint, jataka murals, monkeys, and a riverside setting.

 

A: The old viharn is generally opened during festival periods. Visitors who wish to enter outside those times should contact the temple in advance.

 

A: Luang Pho Samrit is a sacred Buddha image associated with a local story about protecting an important image from wartime danger and rediscovering it centuries later.

 

A: Yes. Many monkeys live near the front area of the temple. Visitors should avoid holding food openly, keep valuables secure, and supervise children closely.

 

A: Yes. It is suitable for travelers interested in Thai Buddhist history, local temple architecture, Sukhothai-style art, mural paintings, and riverside community culture.