Wat Nong Khayat

Wat Nong Khayat is located at 64 Ban Nong Khayat, Village No. 7, Nong Khayat Subdistrict, Phanat Nikhom District, Chonburi Province. It is an ancient temple affiliated with the Mahanikaya sect and holds great significance to the local community. The temple grounds cover an area of 7 rai, 3 ngan, and 9 square wah, with clearly defined boundaries: to the north and south, it is bordered by public roads; to the east, by a local community zone; and to the west, by a public road within the community. In addition, there are two plots of monastic land (thordee land) with a total area of 17 rai and 3 ngan, documented under land title deeds numbers 11157 and 3353, demonstrating organized land management by the temple.

 

The temple features several important structures that reflect the community’s faith and cooperation. The ordination hall (ubosot) is 12 meters wide and 24 meters long, built with reinforced concrete and topped with traditional wooden elements, blending durability with classic design. The sermon hall (sala kan parian) is a large structure measuring 15 meters in width and 50 meters in length, built with reinforced concrete and wooden flooring, providing ample space for religious ceremonies and community events. The prayer hall, constructed in 1995, is a reinforced concrete building measuring 12 meters wide and 20 meters long. There are also three monks’ residences, designed as half-concrete, half-wooden buildings suited to the local climate and monastic lifestyle. In addition, the temple has a dedicated funeral and merit-making hall built entirely of reinforced concrete, which serves as a space for religious ceremonies and local merit-making activities.

 

Inside the ordination hall, there is a principal Buddha image, which serves as the spiritual centerpiece of the temple and a sacred object deeply revered by the local community and visiting devotees. Wat Nong Khayat has a long and significant history, having been established in 1847. For more than 170 years, it has served as a spiritual and cultural hub for the surrounding villages. The temple was officially granted wisungkhamsima (ordination boundary) in February 1961, with an area measuring 40 meters wide and 60 meters long. This official recognition strengthened the temple’s status within the Buddhist monastic system and marked the beginning of further structural development and expansion.

 

Throughout its history, the temple’s administration has been guided by respected abbots who played vital roles in spiritual leadership and temple management. There have been three known abbots: the first was Phra Pan Khosako, who laid the foundations of the temple; followed by Phra Khru Worakart Wiboon, who continued its development; and the current abbot, Phra Boonsueb Rakkhitsilo, who has served since 1990. Phra Boonsueb has been instrumental in maintaining the temple’s growth, overseeing construction projects, and leading religious and community activities to ensure the temple remains relevant and accessible to local people.

 

Wat Nong Khayat is more than just a place of worship. It serves as a center for Buddhist learning, moral cultivation, and the preservation of local traditions. It is where the community gathers for religious festivals, cultural events, and merit-making ceremonies that reflect the way of life and beliefs of the people. The temple’s existence highlights the deep-rooted faith of the community and represents a spiritual heritage passed down through generations.

 

Today, Wat Nong Khayat continues to play a key role in promoting Buddhism and preserving local culture. It is also a spiritual tourism destination where visitors can pay respects to the principal Buddha image, make merit, and experience the temple’s peaceful and serene atmosphere, which is ideal for meditation and inner reflection. This makes Wat Nong Khayat not only a sacred site of worship but also a valuable cultural landmark in the eastern region of Thailand.