Wat Ban Thanon Krasang

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.00 – 17.00

 

Wat Ban Thanon-Krasang (Dhammayut) is located at No. 169, Moo 4, Khok Lek Subdistrict, Huai Rat District, Buri Ram Province 31000. It is a local Buddhist temple under the Dhammayut order, with the status of a temple granted Wisungkhamsima. The temple covers 44 rai of land and was formerly known as Wat Pa Tham Niyom. Today, it is one of the meaningful Buddhist sites in Huai Rat District, known for its development from a former village cemetery into a respected Dhammayut temple serving Ban Thanon, Ban Krasang, Ban Tamin, and nearby communities.

 

The history of Wat Ban Thanon-Krasang is closely tied to local faith and community transformation. Before the temple was built, the area was a cemetery used by villagers from Ban Thanon, Ban Krasang, and Ban Tamin. Turning a cemetery into a Buddhist temple changed the meaning of the land. A place once associated with death, memory, and fear became a place of merit-making, Dhamma practice, worship, and community faith. This transformation gives the temple a deeper meaning than a newly built religious site.

 

The temple began to be built in 1981. In the early period, the site depended strongly on the faith and labor of local villagers and monks. People from the surrounding villages helped support the construction because they wanted a Buddhist center for worship, ceremonies, moral guidance, and community life. The origin of the temple therefore reflects collective faith. Wat Ban Thanon-Krasang was not created for tourism but grew from the spiritual needs of local people.

 

Wat Ban Thanon-Krasang received official permission on 21 July 1991 and received its royal grant of Wisungkhamsima on 10 February 1991. In Thai Buddhism, Wisungkhamsima is the sacred boundary required for formal Sangha acts, especially ordination. Receiving Wisungkhamsima gave the temple a complete religious status and allowed important monastic ceremonies to be performed properly according to Buddhist discipline.

 

One of the most important events in the temple’s history took place on 16 April 1993, when Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the ceremony to cut the boundary-marker cords of the ordination hall at Wat Ban Thanon-Krasang. This ceremony was deeply meaningful for the temple and the community because it confirmed the sacred role of the ordination hall and became part of the temple’s lasting historical memory.

 

The temple’s former name, Wat Pa Tham Niyom, reflects a calm forest-temple identity. The word pa suggests a forest or secluded setting, while tham niyom suggests appreciation of the Dhamma. Combined with the temple’s Dhammayut identity, this name gives the temple an image of simplicity, discipline, and spiritual seriousness. Although the temple has developed many permanent structures over time, its historical identity remains connected with calm practice and Buddhist restraint.

 

The temple’s 44 rai of land gives it enough space to support a full range of religious and community activities. Important areas include the Buddhist worship zone, ordination hall, sermon hall, monastic residence area, multipurpose pavilion, temple courtyard, merit-making areas, and spaces for future religious development. The large grounds allow the temple to support everyday monastic life as well as larger community events such as Kathin ceremonies, robe offerings, ordinations, funerals, and annual merit-making events.

 

The monastic buildings of Wat Ban Thanon-Krasang include an ordination hall, sermon hall, 16 monk residences, and a multipurpose pavilion. Each building has a practical role. The ordination hall supports formal Sangha ceremonies. The sermon hall is used for Dhamma listening, merit-making, chanting, and community gatherings. Monk residences support the resident monks, while the multipurpose pavilion allows the temple to host larger religious and community activities.

 

Important sacred objects at the temple include the principal Buddha image, images of Phra Moggallana and Phra Sariputta, and other Buddha images. The principal Buddha image serves as the main focus of worship, while the images of the Buddha’s two chief disciples help connect visitors with the stories of early Buddhism. These sacred objects give the temple both devotional and educational value.

 

An important former abbot of the temple was Phra Khru Rattanamongkhon Yan, also known as Luang Pu Kaew Santajitto. He played a major role in caring for the temple and developing its permanent religious structures. His name remains strongly connected with the history, growth, and spiritual identity of Wat Ban Thanon-Krasang. For many disciples and local people, Luang Pu Kaew is an important figure of faith and memory.

 

Luang Pu Kaew Santajitto is remembered not only as a former abbot but also as a respected monk whose work helped shape the temple. The continuing merit-making events and memorial activities connected with him show that he remains important to the temple community. His role helps explain why Wat Ban Thanon-Krasang is more than a local temple. It is also a place of memory for disciples and villagers who continue to honor his contribution.

 

The current abbot of Wat Ban Thanon-Krasang is Phra Khru Suphat Thammathon. The temple currently has 13 resident monks, confirming that it remains an active Buddhist temple. Resident monks support chanting, merit-making, Buddhist holy day ceremonies, sermons, ordinations, funerary rites, Kathin ceremonies, robe offerings, and community religious events. The temple therefore continues to function as a living religious center for Khok Lek Subdistrict and nearby villages.

 

As a Dhammayut temple, Wat Ban Thanon-Krasang has a distinct religious character. The Dhammayut order is associated with discipline, monastic restraint, and careful observance of Buddhist practice. Temples in this tradition often maintain a calm and orderly atmosphere. For visitors, this makes Wat Ban Thanon-Krasang suitable for quiet worship, merit-making, and respectful reflection rather than hurried sightseeing.

 

Another important development at the temple is the Phra Rattanachedi Mongkhon Yan Nuson project, connected with the faith and memory of Luang Pu Kaew. In Thai Buddhism, a chedi often serves as a symbol of devotion, remembrance, and sacred continuity. The chedi area adds another dimension to the temple, allowing visitors to understand how local faith is expressed through architecture, offerings, and long-term community support.

 

Wat Ban Thanon-Krasang also remains active through annual merit-making events, Kathin ceremonies, offerings, memorial activities, and community participation. These activities help maintain the temple’s facilities and strengthen the connection between villagers, monks, disciples, and supporters from outside the area. A temple like this survives through repeated acts of faith, not only through historical records.

 

The temple has also played an educational role through a pre-primary child training center opened in 1993. This reflects the traditional role of Thai temples as places of learning and moral development. The temple is not only a space for monks and rituals. It also contributes to the development of young children and the moral foundation of the community.

 

On Buddhist holy days and important religious occasions, local people come to the temple to offer food, take precepts, listen to sermons, chant, and make merit. Such activities keep the temple connected with the everyday and seasonal rhythms of community life. Children, adults, and elders meet at the temple in an atmosphere of respect and generosity, helping Buddhist values continue across generations.

 

Kathin and robe-offering ceremonies are especially important for Wat Ban Thanon-Krasang. These events bring together local residents, former villagers, disciples, and supporters who return to the temple to make merit. The offerings support the monks, maintain the temple, and continue the development of religious structures. At the same time, the events renew social relationships and keep the community emotionally connected to the temple.

 

For visitors, Wat Ban Thanon-Krasang is suitable for worship, merit-making, paying respect to the memory of Luang Pu Kaew, seeing the ordination hall, sermon hall, principal Buddha image, chedi area, and the atmosphere of a rural Dhammayut temple. It is not a commercial tourist attraction. Its value lies in history, faith, discipline, community memory, and continuing religious life.

 

Wat Ban Thanon-Krasang is located in Khok Lek Subdistrict and can be combined with several nearby temples and cultural sites. Nearby places include Wat Khok Lek, Wat Pa Lelai or Wat Ban Mai, Wat Prasat Sung, Ban Sanuan Nok Silk Tourism Village, and Buri Ram city. This makes the temple suitable for a half-day or full-day route focused on Buddhist heritage and rural community culture.

 

Wat Khok Lek is a nearby temple in the same subdistrict and can be paired with Wat Ban Thanon-Krasang for visitors who want to understand the local Buddhist landscape of Khok Lek. Visiting both temples helps travelers see how each community maintains its own religious center while remaining part of the wider Buddhist network of Huai Rat District.

 

Wat Pa Lelai, also known as Wat Ban Mai, is another meaningful nearby temple. It has a long history, Wisungkhamsima, and educational park status. Combining Wat Ban Thanon-Krasang with Wat Pa Lelai allows visitors to see both a Dhammayut temple with a strong community memory and an old local temple with educational and meditative roles.

 

Wat Prasat Sung is also recommended for visitors exploring Huai Rat District. It is known for Luang Pho Ong Dam, the sacred Bodhi tree of Luang Ta Phu, and Hin Sila Saksit. A route that includes Wat Ban Thanon-Krasang, Wat Pa Lel Sila Saksit. A route that includes Wat Ban Thanon-Krasang, Wat Pa Lelai, and Wat Prasat Sung shows the diversity of temples in the same district: a Dhammayut temple, an old educational temple, and a temple rich in sacred local legends.

 

Ban Sanuan Nok Silk Tourism Village adds a cultural dimension to the journey. The village is known for silk weaving, mulberry cultivation, silkworm raising, silk reeling, Mudmee patterning, traditional houses, an old market, Ram Trot performance, and local food. Combining the temple with Ban Sanuan Nok allows travelers to experience both Buddhist faith and living community culture in Huai Rat District.

 

Getting There from Buri Ram city, travel toward Huai Rat District and continue to Khok Lek Subdistrict, Ban Thanon-Krasang, Moo 4. The temple is located at No. 169. Private car, motorcycle, or locally arranged transport is recommended. When using navigation apps, search for Wat Ban Thanon-Krasang, Khok Lek Subdistrict, Huai Rat District, Buri Ram Province, or the former name Wat Pa Tham Niyom.

 

Visitors should allow about 45 minutes to 1.5 hours for the temple. A calm visit may include paying respect to the principal Buddha image, seeing the ordination hall, sermon hall, chedi area, and other important religious spaces. Those who want to continue to Wat Pa Lelai, Wat Prasat Sung, or Ban Sanuan Nok should plan a half-day or full-day route.

 

Visitors should dress modestly, speak quietly, respect monks and local worshippers, avoid entering monastic areas without permission, and take photographs appropriately. Because the temple is a working religious site with resident monks and community activities, respectful behavior is important. The calm character of a Dhammayut temple should be preserved during the visit.

 

Food options are available in Huai Rat District and Buri Ram city. Mona Cafe Huai Rat is a convenient option in the district, while local food can be arranged through Ban Sanuan Nok community. For more restaurant choices, visitors can continue to Buri Ram city, where options include The Tower Cafe & Hangout, Bamboo Bar Buriram, and Muang Pizza Buriram. Planning food stops in advance is useful because rural restaurants may be spread out.

 

Accommodation options are available near Huai Rat and in Buri Ram city. Baan Sanuan Resort and Ban Sanuan Nok community homestays are suitable for travelers who want to stay close to local culture and the silk tourism route. Those who prefer city hotels can stay at Best Western Royal Buriram Hotel, The Sita Princess Buriram, or Ray Hotel Buriram. The best choice depends on whether the trip focuses on Huai Rat community culture or broader travel around Buri Ram Province.

 

Overall, Wat Ban Thanon-Krasang (Dhammayut) is a temple with religious, historical, and community value. It began from a former cemetery shared by several villages, developed into a Dhammayut temple with Wisungkhamsima, and became closely associated with Luang Pu Kaew Santajitto, an important former abbot. Today, under the care of Phra Khru Suphat Thammathon, the temple remains an active Buddhist center with resident monks and continuing community faith in Huai Rat District, Buri Ram Province.

 

 

A: Wat Ban Thanon-Krasang (Dhammayut) is located at No. 169, Moo 4, Khok Lek Subdistrict, Huai Rat District, Buri Ram Province 31000.

 

A: Wat Ban Thanon-Krasang belongs to the Dhammayut order, or Dhammayuttika Nikaya, and has Wisungkhamsima status.

 

A: The temple began to be built in 1981 on a former cemetery site used by Ban Thanon, Ban Krasang, and Ban Tamin communities.

 

A: The temple received its royal grant of Wisungkhamsima on 10 February 1991.

 

A: The current abbot of Wat Ban Thanon-Krasang is Phra Khru Suphat Thammathon.

 

A: Luang Pu Kaew Santajitto, also known as Phra Khru Rattanamongkhon Yan, was an important former abbot who played a major role in developing the temple and its permanent religious structures.

 

A: The temple is open daily from 08.00 to 17.00. It is suitable for worship, merit-making, and learning about a Dhammayut temple in Huai Rat District.

 

A: Visitors can combine the trip with Wat Khok Lek, Wat Pa Lelai, Wat Prasat Sung, Ban Sanuan Nok Silk Tourism Village, and Buri Ram city.