Wat Si Don Chai

Rating: 4.2/5 (6 votes)

Operating day: Daily

Operating time: 08.00 - 17.00

 

Wat Si Don Chai Wiang Nuea, Pai, Mae Hong Son. Wat Si Don Chai, originally known as "Wat Luang Sari Bua Ban," was officially established as a temple in 1849 (B.E. 2392) and received the royal consecration of its ordination hall (Wisungkhama Sima) in 1937 (B.E. 2480). The abbot of the temple is Phra Khru Anusarn Panyakorn (Panya Phalo).

 

Wat Si Don Chai is home to Phra Buddha Singha Hing (Phra Singh Pai), a Chiang Saen-style Buddha statue of the first rank (Singh Neung), which is regarded as the oldest and most revered cultural heritage of Pai.

 

The temple has a long history dating back to its founding in 1312 (B.E. 1855) by Pha Kha Mong So, who led a Burmese army to establish a settlement at Ban Don. The temple, initially named "Wat Ban Don Chong Mai," was the first temple in the area, built to provide a place for religious practices for both the army and the local people of that time.

 

In 1477 (B.E. 2020), King Tilokkarat of Chiang Mai commanded his grandson, Chao Maha Chivitha Sri Jaya (Chao Sri Jai), to lead a military expedition, accompanied by royal officials and two white elephants—Chang Phlai Puek Thao Mongkhon and Chang Phlai Kaew Mongkhon—to capture this settlement from the Burmese rulers Pha Kha Kan Na and Pha Kha Mong So.

 

Following their victory, the two elephants escaped into the forest and were later found near a stream. Upon returning the elephants, Chao Sri Jai renamed the river as "Mae Nam Pai," referencing the Northern Thai term for a male elephant, "Chang Pai." As the town prospered and expanded, it became known as "Muang Pai," named after the river.