Wat Ban Rai

Wat Ban Rai (Silathong) is located at No. 121, Ban Rai Silathong, Village No. 10, Phichai Subdistrict, Mueang Lampang District, Lampang Province. It is under the Maha Nikaya sect of the Sangha. The temple land covers an area of 2 rai, 2 ngan, and 5 square wah.

 

The boundaries are as follows: to the north, approximately 33 wah adjacent to the village internal road; to the south, about 9 wah bordering residential houses; to the east, about 30 wah adjacent to a garden; and to the west, about 33 wah bordering a public road.

 

The temple complex consists of an ubosot (ordination hall), sermon hall, monks’ quarters, and a library. Sacred objects include Buddha statues made of brick in the Lanna style, bronze Buddha statues from the Sukhothai period, gilded lacquered Buddha images from the Sukhothai era, and a traditional pulpit.

 

Wat Ban Rai (Silathong) was established in 1882 (B.E. 2425), making it about 130 years old. Originally, it was located near rice fields (where Ban Rai Prachasamakkhi School currently stands). It was built as a monastery by Chao Nai Inpan from Wat Chedi Wan. Later, the temple faced water shortages and was far from the villagers, making it inconvenient for people to come to make merit.

 

Therefore, the temple was relocated to the center of the village in the year 2002 (B.E. 2545), on the 13th day of the waxing moon in the 6th lunar month, Thursday. At that time, Phor Nan Tatip Sri donated approximately 2 rai, 2 ngan, and 5 square wah of land. However, there was no viharn (sermon hall) yet.

 

During this period, development had begun, and Phor Khun Boriban (an elephant doctor) initiated the construction of the viharn, walls, and monks’ quarters. Renovations have continued since then. Later, Phra Khru Inkhum Uppalo built a new viharn, which began on May 11, 1961 (B.E. 2504), and was completed in 1965 (B.E. 2508).

 

Wat Ban Rai (Silathong) received royal endorsement of its Wisungkhamasima boundary on January 15, 1970 (B.E. 2513). Currently, the temple is administered by Phra Athikan Trinrong Thitthammo, the abbot of Wat Ban Rai (Silathong).