Wat Tha Rong Tawan Ok

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.00 – 17.00

 

Wat Tha Rong Tawan Ok in Phitsanulok Province is an old local Buddhist temple located in Ban Tha Rong Tawan Ok, Moo 2, Wat Phrik Subdistrict, Mueang Phitsanulok District. The temple stands on the eastern bank of the Nan River and is deeply connected with the riverside community, local Buddhist life, and the historical memory of Wat Phrik Subdistrict. Although it is not a large royal temple, Wat Tha Rong Tawan Ok is valuable as a long-standing community temple where faith, architecture, monastic practice, and everyday village life come together in a peaceful riverside setting.

 

The temple is located at 66 Ban Tha Rong Tawan Ok, Moo 2, Wat Phrik Subdistrict, Mueang Phitsanulok District, Phitsanulok Province. It belongs to the Mahanikaya monastic order and occupies about 12 rai and 3 ngan of land. The temple area is a lowland riverside site beside the Nan River. To the north, it borders a school; to the south, a public road; to the east, local residents’ land; and to the west, the Nan River. This setting shows how closely the temple is connected with the main elements of community life: homes, education, transportation, and the river.

 

Wat Tha Rong Tawan Ok has a history dating back to around B.E. 2400. It was originally an abandoned temple known as Wat Tha Rong Tawan Khuen before being restored and renamed Wat Tha Rong Tawan Ok. The restoration of an abandoned temple into an active religious site reflects the devotion of local people who worked to preserve a sacred place for future generations. Today, the temple continues to serve as a spiritual center for the Ban Tha Rong Tawan Ok community.

 

The temple received its official consecrated boundary on 18 March B.E. 2530. The consecrated boundary measures 40 meters wide and 80 meters long. This is important because it defines the sacred area used for formal monastic ceremonies, especially ordination. Receiving this boundary confirms the temple’s role as a properly established Buddhist site for community religious practice.

 

The temple’s religious buildings reflect its development during the modern period. The ordination hall was built in B.E. 2500 and measures 7 meters wide by 12 meters long. It is used for monastic ceremonies and important Buddhist rituals. The sermon hall was built in B.E. 2521 and measures 14 meters wide by 24 meters long. This wooden building supports Buddhist teaching, community meetings, merit-making ceremonies, and local events. The chanting hall was built in B.E. 2507 and measures 8 meters wide by 16 meters long. It is also a wooden building used for chanting and religious activities. There are also 3 monks’ residences for resident monks.

 

These buildings show that Wat Tha Rong Tawan Ok has the essential structure of a community temple. The ordination hall supports formal monastic functions. The sermon hall provides space for teaching and gatherings. The chanting hall supports daily religious practice. The monks’ residences allow the temple to maintain monastic life. Together, these features make the temple an important religious and social center for the community.

 

Inside the ordination hall is the main Buddha image known locally as Luang Pho Khao. This stucco Buddha image has a lap width of 5 sok and is deeply respected by local residents. The name Luang Pho Khao suggests purity, peace, and spiritual calm. Devotees come to pay respect, make merit, and ask for blessings related to peace, safety, stability, and auspiciousness. Luang Pho Khao is therefore the spiritual heart of the temple.

 

The main Buddha image in the sermon hall has a lap width of 12 inches. It was created and offered by Mr. Arun Phakpraphai in B.E. 2525. This donation reflects the close participation of local people in supporting the temple. Many Thai community temples have grown through such acts of faith, including donations of Buddha images, halls, repairs, and ritual objects. Wat Tha Rong Tawan Ok is a good example of how local devotion sustains Buddhist heritage over time.

 

The temple has been cared for by several abbots over the years. The listed abbots include Phra Thian, Phra Achan Dot, Phra Sot, Phra Nam, Phra Chat, and Phra Achan Bo Sumano, who has served since B.E. 2515. Each abbot has played a role in maintaining the temple, supporting religious activities, preserving the temple grounds, and guiding local people in Buddhist practice. This continuity of monastic leadership has helped keep the temple active and meaningful for the community.

 

Wat Tha Rong Tawan Ok plays an important role in local Buddhist festivals and ceremonies. It is used for merit-making on Buddhist holy days, Magha Puja, Visakha Puja, Asalha Puja, Buddhist Lent, the end of Buddhist Lent, Kathin ceremonies, robe-offering events, Songkran activities, ordinations, memorial merit-making, funerals, and other community rituals. For local residents, the temple is present throughout many stages of life, from family ceremonies and religious education to the final rites of loved ones.

 

The riverside location gives the temple a calm and meaningful atmosphere. The Nan River is one of the most important waterways in Phitsanulok. It has shaped settlement, agriculture, transportation, trade, and cultural life for many generations. Temples located along the river often have a special character because they connect sacred space with the rhythm of the water. At Wat Tha Rong Tawan Ok, visitors can experience the quiet presence of a local riverside temple that remains part of daily community life.

 

Architecturally, the temple is valuable as a local religious site rather than as a monumental royal temple. The wooden sermon hall and chanting hall reflect practical community architecture from the later 20th Buddhist century. Their value lies in their function, simplicity, and relationship with local life. They show how temples were built to serve real community needs: worship, teaching, chanting, meetings, ceremonies, and shelter for religious activities.

 

Wat Tha Rong Tawan Ok is also useful for understanding the local history of Wat Phrik Subdistrict. The temple sits between a school, community land, a public road, and the Nan River. This setting shows how temples, schools, homes, roads, and waterways have worked together as the structure of community life. For travelers interested in cultural geography and local history, the temple offers a small but meaningful example of how Thai communities are organized around Buddhist institutions.

 

For visitors who enjoy quiet temples, Wat Tha Rong Tawan Ok is a worthwhile stop in the Wat Phrik area. It is not a crowded tourist landmark, but it gives visitors a chance to see a real local temple with a long history. The temple is suitable for worship, a peaceful walk, observing local architecture, and learning about a temple that was once abandoned and later restored by community faith.

 

Getting There is convenient from Phitsanulok city. Visitors can travel toward Wat Phrik Subdistrict and Ban Tha Rong Tawan Ok, Moo 2, beside the Nan River. The temple can be reached by private car, local taxi, songthaew, or ride-hailing service. It can also be combined with visits to Wat Tha Rong Tawan Tok, Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Woramahawihan, Wat Nang Phaya, Wat Ratchaburana, and other historic sites in central Phitsanulok.

 

The best time to visit is in the morning or late afternoon when the weather is more comfortable and the riverside atmosphere is calm. Visitors should dress respectfully, speak quietly, and behave appropriately in the temple grounds. Photography should be done with care, especially inside the ordination hall or near sacred Buddha images, so that worshippers and monks are not disturbed.

 

Wat Tha Rong Tawan Ok is suitable for Buddhist pilgrims, cultural travelers, students, photographers, and visitors interested in local temples, riverside communities, and the everyday role of Buddhism in Phitsanulok. While major temples in the city show the grandeur of royal and historical Buddhism, Wat Tha Rong Tawan Ok reveals the quieter strength of community-based Buddhist faith.

 

A visit to the temple can be part of a broader route through Wat Phrik Subdistrict and central Phitsanulok. Travelers can include Wat Tha Rong Tawan Tok, Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Woramahawihan, Wat Nang Phaya, Wat Ratchaburana, Chan Palace, and riverside areas along the Nan River. This type of route helps visitors see Phitsanulok from several perspectives: famous royal temples, city history, local temples, and riverside community life.

 

Overall, Wat Tha Rong Tawan Ok is an old community temple with significant value for Wat Phrik Subdistrict. Its riverside setting, history as a restored abandoned temple, Luang Pho Khao in the ordination hall, wooden religious buildings, and continuing role in local Buddhist life make it a meaningful place to visit. It offers a peaceful and authentic glimpse into the living Buddhist heritage of Phitsanulok.

 

 

A: Wat Tha Rong Tawan Ok is located in Ban Tha Rong Tawan Ok, Moo 2, Wat Phrik Subdistrict, Mueang Phitsanulok District, Phitsanulok Province, on the eastern bank of the Nan River.

 

A: The temple dates back to around B.E. 2400. It was originally an abandoned temple called Wat Tha Rong Tawan Khuen before being restored and renamed Wat Tha Rong Tawan Ok. It received its consecrated boundary on 18 March B.E. 2530.

 

A: The most important sacred object is Luang Pho Khao, the stucco main Buddha image inside the ordination hall, with a lap width of 5 sok.

 

A: The abbot is Phra Achan Bo Sumano.

 

A: The temple is open daily from 08.00 to 17.00.

 

A: The temple is suitable for Buddhist pilgrims, cultural travelers, students, photographers, and visitors interested in old local temples, riverside communities, and Phitsanulok’s local history.

 

A: A visit of about 45 minutes to 1 hour is suitable for paying respect to Luang Pho Khao, viewing the temple buildings, and experiencing the peaceful riverside atmosphere.

 

A: Nearby attractions include Wat Tha Rong Tawan Tok, Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Woramahawihan, Wat Nang Phaya, Wat Ratchaburana, and Chan Palace.