Wat Santinikom

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: Open Daily

 

Wat Santinikom, formerly known as “Wat Santinikom Samakkhi Tham,” is located at Ban San Pa Sak, Moo 2, Mai Phatthana Subdistrict, Ko Kha District, Lampang Province. The temple is about 12 km west of Ko Kha town, along the Ko Kha – Pong Ron – San Pa Sak route. It is a peaceful Buddhist temple known not only as a place of worship, but also as an important community learning center with educational parks, a local museum, a library, and a community ICT center.

 

The atmosphere of Wat Santinikom is calm, shady, and suitable for merit-making, meditation, cultural learning, and quiet travel. The temple is surrounded by local community life and rural scenery, giving visitors a clear sense of northern Thai temple culture. It is a place where Buddhism, local wisdom, education, and community development are closely connected.

 

Wat Santinikom was established on 10 June 1982 on land belonging to the Hang Chat Cooperative Settlement. The temple area covers 15 rai and 85 square wah. It first began as a small monastic residence before gradually developing into a full temple. The key founders were Luang Pu Sa-at Kusolajitto and Mr. Chankaew, also known as Khun Ta Kham Champawan, together with local villagers who supported the construction from the beginning.

 

Under the development work of Luang Pu Sa-at Kusolajitto, Wat Santinikom became a religious, educational, and cultural center for the community. Luang Pu Sa-at was widely respected as a devoted monk, meditation teacher, and temple developer. His strict discipline and dedication to Buddhist practice inspired local people to support the temple continuously.

 

One of the most distinctive features of Wat Santinikom is its role as a complete learning temple. The temple includes several educational areas, such as a Buddhist education park, a local wisdom learning area, a cultural and folk tradition learning area, an herbal garden, a folk museum, the 80th Birthday Anniversary Library, and the Mai Phatthana Subdistrict Community ICT Center.

 

The Buddhist education area allows visitors to learn about the teachings of the Buddha through religious spaces, displays, and meditation areas. This makes the temple more than a place for worship. It is also a space where people can reflect on morality, mindfulness, wisdom, and Buddhist ways of living.

 

The local wisdom learning area and folk museum are especially valuable for students and cultural travelers. These areas preserve objects, tools, and stories related to local life in the past. Visitors can learn how people in the community lived, worked, used natural resources, and passed knowledge from one generation to another.

 

The cultural and folk tradition area helps visitors understand local Lanna customs, ceremonies, beliefs, and community practices. Wat Santinikom therefore functions as a living bridge between Buddhism and local culture. It keeps traditional knowledge visible and accessible to younger generations.

 

The herbal garden and botanical learning area introduce visitors to local medicinal plants and their traditional uses. This reflects the temple’s broader role in preserving health knowledge, environmental awareness, and local plant wisdom. For travelers interested in community-based learning, this part of the temple adds a meaningful educational dimension.

 

The 80th Birthday Anniversary Library and the community ICT center show that Wat Santinikom also supports modern education. Students, local residents, and visitors can use these spaces for reading, research, and technology-based learning. This combination of Buddhist teaching, local wisdom, culture, and technology makes the temple unique among community temples in Lampang.

 

Wat Santinikom is also known for its Buddhist architecture and sacred structures, including Phra Maha That Chulamani Buddha Chedi with nine spires. The temple grounds include religious buildings used for merit-making, ceremonies, meditation, and community activities. Some areas present moral lessons through Buddhist teachings, helping visitors reflect on virtue, karma, and mindful living.

 

Although Luang Pu Sa-at Kusolajitto has passed away, his legacy remains deeply present at Wat Santinikom. The temple continues to serve the Ban San Pa Sak community and the wider Mai Phatthana area as a place of faith, learning, and cultural continuity. Visitors who come here can still feel the strong connection between devotion, education, and community development.

 

For travelers exploring Ko Kha District, Wat Santinikom can be included in a cultural route together with Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, Wat Lai Hin Luang Kaew Chang Yuen, Kad Tung Kwian Market, and Wat Pong Yang Khok. The temple is ideal for those who prefer quiet cultural travel, Buddhist learning, and community-based tourism rather than crowded tourist attractions.

 

Getting There is convenient from Ko Kha town. The temple is located about 12 km to the west along the Ko Kha – Pong Ron – San Pa Sak route. Travelers from Lampang city can first drive to Ko Kha District and then continue toward Mai Phatthana Subdistrict. The route is suitable for private cars and rental vehicles, and the visit can be arranged as a half-day cultural trip.

 

 

A: Wat Santinikom is located at Ban San Pa Sak, Moo 2, Mai Phatthana Subdistrict, Ko Kha District, Lampang Province.

 

A: Its former name was Wat Santinikom Samakkhi Tham.

 

A: It is known as a peaceful temple with meditation spaces, educational parks, a folk museum, a library, and a community ICT center.

 

A: The temple was initiated by Luang Pu Sa-at Kusolajitto and Mr. Chankaew, also known as Khun Ta Kham Champawan, together with local villagers.

 

A: Yes. The temple is suitable for students and visitors who want to learn about Buddhism, local wisdom, folk culture, herbal knowledge, and community learning.

 

A: No. There is no admission fee.

 

A: Travelers can drive about 12 km west from Ko Kha town along the Ko Kha – Pong Ron – San Pa Sak route.