Wat Sriburi Rattanaram

Open Days: Open Daily

Opening Hours: 08:30 – 16:30

 

Wat Sriburi Rattanaram, which many people in Saraburi still know by its former name Wat Pak Phriao, is an important temple in the heart of Saraburi city. It stands out for its long history, its role as a spiritual center for the local community, and its strong contribution to Buddhist education. The temple is located on Phichai Ronnarong Songkhram Road in Pak Phriao Subdistrict, Mueang Saraburi District, close to the old community area and the Pa Sak River. This makes it easy to reach and well suited for worship, merit-making, learning about local history, or including in a city itinerary while traveling in Saraburi.

 

In simple terms, Wat Sriburi Rattanaram is a historic temple with importance on many levels within a single place. It functions as a common temple under the Maha Nikaya order, a model development temple, an outstanding model development temple, the second provincial Pali Buddhist school in Saraburi, and the first official meditation center of Saraburi Province. It also houses several highly revered sacred objects that have long served as focal points of devotion for Buddhists in Saraburi.

 

The information you provided forms the core of this article because Wat Sriburi Rattanaram is not notable only for old structures or temple architecture. It is equally important as a long-standing center of faith for the urban community of Saraburi. Inside the temple, visitors will find Luang Pho Phuttho, the principal sacred Buddha image of the temple, a three-season replica of the Emerald Buddha, and the image of Phra Silvisutthidilok (Noo), a former abbot and former deputy provincial ecclesiastical chief of Saraburi. All of these serve as deeply respected spiritual symbols for local residents and worshippers.

 

The temple is located at 124 Phichai Ronnarong Songkhram Road, Pak Phriao Subdistrict, Mueang Saraburi District, Saraburi Province. It occupies approximately 10 rai, 2 ngan, and 39 square wah. Its northern boundary touches the Pa Sak River, the southern side borders Phichai Ronnarong Songkhram Road, the eastern side is adjacent to the Pak Phriao community, and the western side borders private land. This setting makes the temple a classic urban temple closely connected to local daily life, while also being convenient for visitors who want to stop by without having to travel far from the city route.

 

Historically, Wat Sriburi Rattanaram was established in B.E. 2092 and was originally called Wat Muang Ngam. It is believed to have been built before the founding of Bangkok. Because it stood near the mouth of Khlong Phriao in Ban Pak Phriao, people commonly referred to it as Wat Pak Phriao. Later, when Phra Sisutthatsamuni resided at the temple during the rains retreat, the name was changed to Wat Sriburi Rattanaram, which remains its official name today. The temple received royal boundary consecration on 22 June B.E. 2522, with a sacred boundary measuring 21 meters in width and 39 meters in length.

 

Looking at its development in the modern period, Wat Sriburi Rattanaram has steadily risen in status and responsibility. In B.E. 2534 it was recognized as a model development temple. In B.E. 2535 it became an outstanding model development temple. In B.E. 2545 it became the second provincial Pali Buddhist school of Saraburi, and in B.E. 2549 it was designated as the first official meditation center of Saraburi Province. These distinctions clearly show that the temple’s role goes beyond ordinary religious ceremonies. It also serves as a center for Buddhist education, training, and sustained religious development in the province.

 

Another notable aspect of the temple is its well-developed internal layout and building complex. The ordination hall measures 21 by 39 meters and was built in B.E. 2520 as a reinforced concrete structure. The sermon hall, built in the same year, is a wooden building. The prayer hall was constructed in B.E. 2534 as a half-concrete, half-wood structure. In addition, the temple contains 6 monk residences, a viharn built in B.E. 2485, a Trimuk pavilion enshrining the replica Emerald Buddha built in B.E. 2546, a multipurpose pavilion, and several funeral pavilions. Altogether, the temple functions as both a religious site and a complete center for community activities.

 

As for sacred objects, Wat Sriburi Rattanaram preserves several highly significant images that deserve special reverence. The principal Buddha image in the ordination hall is seated in the Mara-Vijaya posture and was built in B.E. 2520. Luang Pho Phuttho, a large gold-covered stucco Buddha image in the Mara-Vijaya posture, was built in B.E. 2470 and is one of the most revered Buddha images among local residents. Another remarkable sacred object is the three-season replica of Phra Phuttha Maha Mani Rattana Patimakorn, cast in green emerald-colored glass and made with a lap width equal to that of the original image in Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram. This gives the temple significance not only at the local level but also as a symbolic connection to national Buddhist heritage.

 

Another important part of the temple’s story is its administrative lineage, which reflects the continuity of the monastic institution in the area. According to temple history, the list of abbots includes Phra Yai, Phra Lek, Phra Thong, Phra Daeng, Phra Uan, Phra Thup, Phra Khru Watthasophon, Phra Lam, Phra Silvisutthidilok, and at present Phra Ratchamethakorn (Thongyoi Chotivaro), who has served as abbot of Wat Sriburi Rattanaram since B.E. 2513. He also holds an important role in the provincial and regional ecclesiastical administration, which gives this temple notable standing in both religious leadership and monastic governance.

 

For actual visitors, one of the strongest advantages of Wat Sriburi Rattanaram is its location. Because it is in the center of Saraburi city, it is easy to access and close to restaurants, hotels, the railway station, and other important places in town. This makes it suitable both for people who intend to come for merit-making and for travelers arranging a half-day or full-day city trip. The atmosphere is different from that of mountain temples or forest monasteries. It is a calm urban temple that remains close to everyday convenience, allowing both local residents and travelers to stop by with ease.

 

From the perspective of cultural tourism, Wat Sriburi Rattanaram is especially suitable for those who want to understand the inner historic core of Saraburi through one of the old temples of the Pak Phriao community. The temple is closely connected with local community history, Pali Buddhist education, meditation practice, and devotion to important sacred Buddha images. A visit here is therefore not only about admiring buildings or paying respect to Buddha images, but also about experiencing the spiritual identity of old Saraburi city.

 

In practical travel terms, this temple is ideal for a morning or afternoon stop. Visitors usually need about 30 minutes to 1 hour for worship and walking around the grounds. If planning a longer itinerary, the visit can easily be combined with nearby places such as Wat Phriao, the Saraburi City Pillar Shrine, city markets, well-known local restaurants, and hotels in the Pak Phriao area. This convenience makes Wat Sriburi Rattanaram one of the most suitable temples for a relaxed city exploration in Saraburi.

 

Getting There From Bangkok, take Phahonyothin Road into Saraburi city, then continue toward Pak Phriao along Phichai Ronnarong Songkhram Road. The temple is located within the city area and can be reached easily by private car, local transport, or a short connection from Saraburi Railway Station. Visitors staying in Mueang Saraburi District can reach the temple in a short time.

 

 

A: Yes. Wat Sriburi Rattanaram was originally called Wat Muang Ngam and later became widely known as Wat Pak Phriao before eventually receiving the name Wat Sriburi Rattanaram.

 

A: The current abbot is Phra Ratchamethakorn (Thongyoi Chotivaro), who also plays an important role in the ecclesiastical administration of Saraburi and the wider region.

 

A: The main sacred objects are Luang Pho Phuttho, the principal Buddha image in the ordination hall, and the three-season replica of the Emerald Buddha.

 

A: It is suitable for worship, merit-making, learning about local history, and cultural sightseeing within Saraburi city. It can also be combined easily with nearby restaurants and city attractions.

 

A: For worship and a walk around the temple grounds, about 30 minutes to 1 hour is usually enough. If combined with a city itinerary, it can fit well into a half-day plan.

 

A: Yes. Publicly available information indicates that the temple is open daily, roughly from 08:30 to 16:30.