Phra That Phon Thong

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.00 – 17.00

 

Phra That Phon Thong in Udon Thani Province is a sacred stupa and an important cultural landmark of Nong Na Kham Subdistrict, Mueang Udon Thani District. Located near the Udon Thani–Sakon Nakhon road, also known as Highway 22, the site is deeply respected by local Buddhist communities. The stupa is known for its octagonal form, an approximately 8-meter-wide base, and an overall height of about 10 meters from base to pinnacle. Its top is decorated with white glass, creating a bright reflective point when sunlight reaches the upper part of the monument. In local memory, Phra That Phon Thong enshrines the relics of 8 arahants and is linked with legends of golden Buddha images, bronze sacred objects, and other valuable ritual items placed inside the stupa since ancient times.

 

For travelers who want to explore Udon Thani beyond the city center, Phra That Phon Thong is a meaningful cultural stop. It brings together local history, Buddhist devotion, ancient legends, and community-based traditions in one compact site. Visitors can pay respect to the stupa, observe its octagonal architecture, walk around the sacred courtyard, and understand how this place has served as a spiritual anchor for Nong Na Kham and nearby communities for generations.

 

The significance of Phra That Phon Thong comes from both its sacred function and its powerful local narrative. According to local tradition, during the Buddhist era, 8 arahants traveled to worship the relics of the Buddha at Phu Kamphra, known today as Phra That Phanom in Nakhon Phanom Province. On their return journey, they became seriously ill at the area now associated with Phra That Phon Thong. Knowing that the time of their final passing had arrived, they set up their ascetic umbrellas, sat in meditation, and attained final nirvana at this place. The community later held cremation rites and enshrined their relics inside the stupa, transforming the area into a sacred memorial of Buddhist faith.

 

The legend of Phra That Phon Thong reflects an old social world where Buddhism served as the central spiritual foundation of the community. People in the past placed great importance on honoring relics of enlightened monks and building stupas as permanent religious memorials. Local rulers and devout supporters from nearby settlements are said to have taken part in the construction. The story also tells of golden Buddha images, bronze ritual objects, and valuables being placed inside the stupa, with the construction completed in just 7 days. This narrative makes Phra That Phon Thong more than an ancient structure; it is a living site of devotion and collective memory.

 

The name “Phra That Phon Thong” is closely tied to landscape and belief. In local usage, “phon” can refer to a raised mound or elevated ground, while “thong” means gold and suggests prosperity, sacred value, and auspiciousness. The name can therefore be understood as a sacred stupa on a golden mound or a relic monument standing in a spiritually valuable place. The meaning also resonates with the legend of golden Buddha images and sacred treasures associated with the stupa.

 

Architecturally, Phra That Phon Thong has a distinctive identity. The stupa is octagonal, with an approximately 8-meter-wide base and a height of about 10 meters. Its compact and balanced form differs from many bell-shaped or tall slender stupas found elsewhere in northeastern Thailand. The octagonal layout makes the monument visually interesting from every side, and visitors can walk around the structure to observe its proportions. When the stupa is wrapped with golden cloth or devotional fabric, it becomes a striking visual and spiritual focal point of the courtyard.

 

The historical importance of Phra That Phon Thong is also connected to the ancient cultural landscape around it. Local accounts link the area with Nong Yang, described as an old Khmer settlement divided into Mueang Saen to the south and Mueang Chan to the west. Nong Yang was remembered as a prosperous settlement with resources and wealth. This setting suggests that Phra That Phon Thong once stood within a wider network of communities, sacred sites, routes, and ritual spaces rather than being an isolated monument.

 

Several old temple sites and ancient places are also mentioned in connection with the area around Phra That Phon Thong. These include Wat Ban Non Phon Sung, Wat Ban Han, Wat Ban Nae, Wat Na Mueang, Wat Bo Hin or Khum Lek, Wat Non Phon Thong Noi, the ancient site of Ban I Lian, and Saang Pho well made from laterite. Some of these places now survive mainly as traces or ruins, but their presence helps explain the broader historical context of Phra That Phon Thong. The stupa belongs to a cultural landscape shaped by long-term settlement, Buddhist devotion, and local memory.

 

Another important local story concerns the construction of the Udon Thani–Sakon Nakhon road in 1909. When the road was built near Phra That Phon Thong, local legend says that some contractors, craftsmen, and laborers secretly damaged the smaller stupas around the main stupa in search of valuables. The guardian power of the sacred monument is then said to have appeared in the form of a large bear that attacked those responsible. This story is preserved as a moral lesson: sacred places, ancient monuments, and community heritage must be treated with respect, not violated for personal gain.

 

The smaller stupas that once stood near the main monument remain important in community memory. Local accounts mention 2 smaller stupas to the west of the main stupa. Although time, road construction, and later restoration have changed the physical setting, these stories show that the original sacred area may once have included several ritual elements. Phra That Phon Thong was therefore not merely a single isolated stupa, but part of a more complex sacred compound.

 

The most important tradition associated with Phra That Phon Thong is the annual worship ceremony and rocket offering held according to local belief on the full moon day of the 7th lunar month. Local people and devotees gather to worship the stupa, make merit, pray, and honor the sacred presence of the monument. The tradition is connected with stories of miraculous lights or glowing orbs circling the stupa. In response to this belief, villagers offer rockets as a form of devotion. The practice reflects the northeastern Thai cultural blend of Buddhism, local sacred beliefs, and ritual requests for protection and abundance.

 

The annual Phra That Phon Thong worship event is also a community gathering. People from Nong Na Kham and surrounding areas come together for merit-making, Buddhist activities, and local cultural participation. The ceremony is not only a religious event; it is a reaffirmation of the relationship between people and place. It allows younger generations to learn why Phra That Phon Thong matters to the community and how local heritage continues through practice, not only through written history.

 

The golden Buddha images connected with the legend of Phra That Phon Thong add another layer of historical interest. Local accounts say that some golden Buddha images were moved to different places, and during the transfer, 7 carts used to carry them broke. Villagers of Nong Na Kham are said to have taken 3 large golden Buddha images, each about 50 centimeters across the lap and about 100 centimeters high, to Wat Si That in Ban Nong Na Kham. Another 2 Buddha images were moved to temples in Nong Han District. These stories deepen the role of Phra That Phon Thong as a former center of sacred objects and shared community memory.

 

Today, Phra That Phon Thong has been restored and the surrounding landscape improved for worship and visitation. Local authorities have previously allocated a budget of 1,234,000 baht to improve the area and build Ho Phra Tham Chai beside the stupa. The result is a clean and accessible sacred space suitable for visitors who wish to pay respect, observe local religious architecture, and learn about the spiritual history of the site.

 

The atmosphere of Phra That Phon Thong is calm and sincere. It is suitable for travelers who want to make a brief but meaningful stop while traveling along the Udon Thani–Sakon Nakhon route. The monument can be seen near the main road, and the site offers a simple courtyard for walking, worship, and quiet reflection. Unlike large tourist attractions, Phra That Phon Thong is valued for its devotion, legends, and local character.

 

For history-focused travelers, Phra That Phon Thong is worth visiting because it brings together several historical layers: legends from the Khmer era, the story of the 8 arahants, nearby ancient temple sites, the road construction of 1909, and modern restoration. The site encourages visitors to read the landscape through architecture, oral tradition, and community memory rather than simply treating it as a quick photo stop.

 

For cultural travelers, Phra That Phon Thong offers a clear view of local religious life in northeastern Thailand. The annual worship and rocket-offering tradition demonstrates how Buddhist faith, local belief, seasonal ritual, and community identity can exist together. Visitors who come during the full moon of the 7th lunar month experience the site at its most lively, while those visiting on ordinary days can still appreciate its quiet sacred atmosphere.

 

For families, Phra That Phon Thong is an educational stop that does not require a long visit. Children and young travelers can learn about sacred stupas, ancient sites, legends, and respectful behavior in religious places. Parents can use the visit to explain why people should not climb monuments, touch sacred structures unnecessarily, move offerings, or leave litter in a shared spiritual space.

 

Visitors should dress respectfully and behave calmly inside the sacred area. Avoid loud noise, do not climb onto the stupa, do not move offerings, and do not touch the monument unnecessarily. Those who wish to offer flowers, incense, candles, or donations should do so neatly in the designated area. These practices help preserve the dignity of the site and support continued community care.

 

Planning a visit to Phra That Phon Thong is straightforward because it is not far from Udon Thani city. It can be included as a stop on the way toward Nong Han, Sakon Nakhon, or the eastern side of Udon Thani Province. From Udon Thani city, travelers can take the Udon Thani–Sakon Nakhon road toward Nong Na Kham Subdistrict. The site is located near the main road and is convenient for visitors traveling by private car.

 

Getting There is easiest by private car. From Udon Thani city, take Highway 22, the Udon Thani–Sakon Nakhon road, toward Nong Na Kham Subdistrict. The distance from the city is about 13 km. The site is suitable for a short cultural stop before continuing toward Nong Han, Sakon Nakhon, or returning to Udon Thani city. Travelers without a private vehicle can use local transport or a hired car and ask for Phra That Phon Thong in Nong Na Kham.

 

There is no admission fee for general visitors. Travelers may make merit or donate according to personal faith. Bringing flowers or other offerings is possible, but visitors should keep the area clean and observe proper manners throughout the visit.

 

The main areas of the site include the principal Phra That Phon Thong stupa, the worship courtyard around the monument, Ho Phra Tham Chai, and the landscaped area. The stupa should be the starting point of the visit. After paying respect, visitors can walk around the courtyard to observe the monument, offerings, and the devotional atmosphere maintained by the community.

 

Compared with major urban attractions in Udon Thani, Phra That Phon Thong has a quieter and more local character. It is not a commercial tourist site; it is a sacred and historical place. Visitors who spend time reading the history, observing the stupa, and walking respectfully around the courtyard will gain a deeper understanding of its value.

 

Nearby attractions that can be combined with a visit include the Thai-Chinese Cultural Center of Udon Thani, Chao Pu-Ya Shrine, Udon Thani City Museum, Nong Prajak Public Park, and Wat Phothisomphon. These places allow travelers to connect a sacred stupa outside the city with cultural, historical, and religious landmarks in the city center.

 

Phra That Phon Thong is therefore a worthwhile stop for travelers interested in sacred stupas, Khmer-era legends, the story of the 8 arahants, local Buddhist worship, and cultural travel in northeastern Thailand. It may not be a large modern attraction, but its strength lies in faith, oral tradition, and the way it continues to serve as a spiritual landmark for the community.

 

 

A: Phra That Phon Thong is located in Nong Na Kham Subdistrict, Mueang Udon Thani District, Udon Thani Province, near the Udon Thani–Sakon Nakhon road or Highway 22.

 

A: It is open daily from 08.00 to 17.00.

 

A: No. There is no admission fee, but visitors may make merit or donate according to personal faith.

 

A: It is a sacred octagonal stupa linked with the legend of 8 arahants and serves as a spiritual landmark for Nong Na Kham community in Udon Thani.

 

A: The main tradition is the annual worship of Phra That Phon Thong and rocket offering associated with the full moon day of the 7th lunar month.

 

A: Travelers can take Highway 22, the Udon Thani–Sakon Nakhon road, toward Nong Na Kham Subdistrict. The site is about 13 km from Udon Thani city and is most convenient by private car or hired local transport.

 

A: Visitors should dress respectfully, avoid loud behavior, not climb the stupa, not move offerings, and keep the sacred area clean.

 

A: Travelers can combine the visit with the Thai-Chinese Cultural Center of Udon Thani, Chao Pu-Ya Shrine, Udon Thani City Museum, Nong Prajak Public Park, and Wat Phothisomphon.