Wat Pak Kong

Open Days: Open Daily

Opening Hours: 08:00 – 17:00

 

Wat Pak Kong is located in Village No. 2, Ban Thi Subdistrict, Ban Thi District, Lamphun Province. It is a local Buddhist temple under the Maha Nikaya order and has long served as a spiritual center for the surrounding community. Established in 1870 and later granted Wisungkham Sima in 1999, the temple remains an active place of worship in Ban Thi today.

 

Wat Pak Kong is especially meaningful because it is located in the heart of the village. Rather than being a large commercial tourist attraction, it represents the living connection between Buddhism and local community life. The temple is closely linked to the Tai Lue community in Ban Thi, whose daily life has traditionally included gardening, farming, rice cultivation, bamboo basketry, local trade, and employment in Lamphun and Chiang Mai.

 

The temple was originally known as Wat Ton Pao, named after a local tree called ton pao. Because the Mae Thi River flows through the village and near the temple, the name later became associated with Pak Klong before gradually shifting in local pronunciation to Pak Kong. The name therefore preserves traces of local geography, speech, and community memory.

 

The temple stands on elevated land and covers an area of 4 rai, 3 ngan, and 20 square wah. Its northern boundary is adjacent to the Mae Thi River, while the other sides are connected to public roads and local pathways. This location makes the temple easily accessible to villagers and reinforces its role as a central gathering place for religious and community activities.

 

The community around Wat Pak Kong has historically consisted of around 200 supporting households, many of them Tai Lue. This cultural background gives the temple added significance, as it reflects the faith, craftsmanship, agricultural life, and social identity of the Ban Thi area. Bamboo basketry, using local materials, is one example of the traditional skills associated with the community.

 

Wat Pak Kong is located about 23 km from Lamphun city and around 31 km from Chiang Mai. It lies northeast of Chiang Mai and north of Lamphun, making it suitable for travelers who want to explore quiet community temples in Ban Thi District as part of a cultural route between Lamphun and Chiang Mai.

 

The temple continues to play an important role in local Buddhist life. Merit-making, religious ceremonies, community activities, and the annual relic bathing ceremony bring villagers and nearby residents together. These activities show that Wat Pak Kong is not merely an old temple but a living religious center where local traditions continue.

 

Records of past abbots show a long continuity of monastic leadership, including Phra Athikan Ku, Khruba Up Intajikko, Phra Athikan Nuan, Phra Athikan Un Kantharaso, Phra Athikan Rong Techathammo, Phra Athikan Sunthon Sunthoncharo, Phra Athikan Suphakit Suphapanyo, Phra Khru Suphat Kitayakon, and other later caretakers. Recent activity records list Phra Khru Wijit Wutthikon as the abbot.

 

The atmosphere of Wat Pak Kong is simple, calm, and strongly local. Visitors can experience a village temple that remains deeply connected to everyday community life. It is suitable for quiet merit-making, cultural observation, and learning about the Tai Lue heritage of Ban Thi District.

 

Getting There is most convenient by private car. From Lamphun city, travel toward Ban Thi District and continue to Village No. 2 in Ban Thi Subdistrict. The temple is about 4.5 km from the Ban Thi District Office. From Chiang Mai, visitors can connect through routes from San Kamphaeng toward Ban Thi and continue to the temple area.

 

Wat Pak Kong is a meaningful stop for travelers interested in community temples, Tai Lue culture, riverside settlement history, and quiet Buddhist sites in Lamphun. Its value lies in its long history, local name origin, connection to the Mae Thi River, and continuing role in the religious life of Ban Thi.

 

 

A: Wat Pak Kong is located in Village No. 2, Ban Thi Subdistrict, Ban Thi District, Lamphun Province 51180.

 

A: It was formerly known as Wat Ton Pao, later called Wat Pak Klong, before the name shifted to Wat Pak Kong.

 

A: Wat Pak Kong was established in 1870 and received Wisungkham Sima in 1999.

 

A: It is a central village temple for the Tai Lue community, used for merit-making, Buddhist ceremonies, and local gatherings.

 

A: The Mae Thi River flows near the temple, and the northern boundary of the temple is adjacent to the river.

 

A: Visitors can travel by private car from Lamphun city toward Ban Thi District, then continue to Village No. 2 in Ban Thi Subdistrict. The temple is about 4.5 km from Ban Thi District Office.