Wat Pa Tan (Ban Thi)

Open Days: Open Daily

Opening Hours: 08:00 – 17:00

 

Wat Pa Tan (Ban Thi) is located at No. 139, Village No. 19, Ban Pa Tan-Hong Hae, Ban Thi Subdistrict, Ban Thi District, Lamphun Province. It is a local Buddhist temple under the Maha Nikaya order and has long been connected with the faith and community life of Ban Thi. The temple covers an area of 3 rai, 2 ngan, and 43 square wah. It was officially registered as a temple in 1941 and received Wisungkham Sima in 1986. The current abbot is Phra Khru Inthapanyawut Inthapanyo.

 

Wat Pa Tan is a meaningful community temple for visitors who want to make merit, pay respect to the Buddha, and learn about local temple history in Ban Thi District. Its most distinctive story is its restoration from an abandoned temple site. In the past, many palmyra palm trees grew within the temple area, giving rise to the name Wat Pa Tan, meaning the temple of the palm grove.

 

According to local history, Wat Pa Tan was originally built in 1832. It was later abandoned for a long period, leaving only brick remains and traces of the former religious site. The image of an old deserted temple surrounded by palm trees became part of the community memory and helped preserve the identity of the place until later generations restored it.

 

When villagers moved into the Pa Tan settlement, they worked together to restore the abandoned temple. Monks were invited to reside there during the Buddhist Lent, and temple buildings were gradually constructed. This restoration reflects the strong relationship between Buddhism and village life in northern Thailand, where temples often grow through the shared faith and effort of local residents.

 

Because Wat Pa Tan existed before 1941, it was later recognized as a legally valid temple under the Sangha Act. This status confirms its religious legitimacy while preserving its identity as an old community temple with roots deeper than its official registration date.

 

The temple received Wisungkham Sima in 1986, marking an important stage in its development as a Buddhist institution. Wisungkham Sima allows formal monastic ceremonies to be performed within the proper boundary, making the temple more complete in its religious function.

 

The atmosphere of Wat Pa Tan is quiet, simple, and local. It is not a large commercial tourist attraction, but its value lies in its history, restoration story, and role as a spiritual center for the local community. Visitors can make merit, pay respect, and experience the calm environment of a village temple in Lamphun.

 

Wat Pa Tan can be included in a cultural route through Ban Thi District together with nearby temples such as Wat Pak Kong, Wat Ban Thi Luang, Wat Bua Bok, Wat Si Don Chai, Wat Ku Pa Lan, and Wat Phra That Doi Wiang. This route is suitable for travelers interested in local temples, community history, and quiet cultural travel in Lamphun.

 

Visitors should dress respectfully, keep their voices low, and behave appropriately inside the temple grounds. Since Wat Pa Tan remains an active place of worship, photography and sightseeing should be done without disturbing monks, local residents, or religious activities.

 

Getting There is most convenient by private car. From Lamphun city, travel toward Ban Thi District and continue to Ban Pa Tan-Hong Hae in Village No. 19, Ban Thi Subdistrict. From Chiang Mai, visitors can connect via routes from San Kamphaeng toward Ban Thi and continue into the local community area.

 

Wat Pa Tan is a valuable stop for travelers who appreciate quiet temples, local history, and community-based Buddhist heritage. Its story of restoration from an abandoned temple site gives it a distinct identity among the temples of Ban Thi District.

 

 

A: Wat Pa Tan is located at No. 139, Village No. 19, Ban Pa Tan-Hong Hae, Ban Thi Subdistrict, Ban Thi District, Lamphun Province 51180.

 

A: Wat Pa Tan was originally an abandoned temple site with many palm trees. Local villagers later restored it into an active temple.

 

A: Wat Pa Tan was officially registered as a temple in 1941 and received Wisungkham Sima in 1986.

 

A: The name comes from the many palm trees that once grew in the temple area.

 

A: It is suitable for merit-making, quiet temple visits, and cultural travel in Ban Thi District, Lamphun.

 

A: Visitors can travel by private car from Lamphun city toward Ban Thi District, then continue to Ban Pa Tan-Hong Hae in Village No. 19, Ban Thi Subdistrict.