Wat Phrao

Open Days: Open Daily

Opening Hours: Not Specified

 

Wat Phrao is located at No. 23, Ban Phrao, Moo 2, Phra That Subdistrict, Chiang Klang District, Nan Province. It is a Mahanikaya community temple with a long history dating back to 1846. The temple occupies 8 rai, 1 ngan, and 13 square wah of temple land, with an additional monastic land plot of 2 rai, 1 ngan, and 61 square wah. Its most meaningful highlight is the history of its stupa, the relocation of the temple from a flood-prone lowland area to higher ground, and the enshrinement of Buddha relics brought from Sri Lanka in 2015.

 

Wat Phrao has long served as the Buddhist and cultural center of Ban Phrao community. Its story reflects not only religious faith but also the community’s adaptation to landscape and seasonal flooding. The original temple was located in a low-lying area that was regularly affected by floodwater during the rainy season. Because of this, villagers agreed to move both the village and the temple to higher land, which became the present location.

 

The temple compound contains a viharn, a multipurpose hall, monks’ residences, a stucco principal Buddha image, several Buddha images, and one important stupa. These elements make Wat Phrao a complete community temple where villagers can make merit, attend Buddhist ceremonies, listen to Dhamma teachings, and gather for local religious activities.

 

Wat Phrao received its official consecrated boundary, known as Visungkhamsima, on June 9, 2011. This recognition allowed the temple to conduct important monastic ceremonies, including ordination, according to Buddhist monastic regulations. The temple has been led by several abbots, including Phra Suphat Suphattho and Phra Somphet Sajjavaro. The current abbot is Phra Bai Dika Srichai Tipadhammo.

 

The most important sacred structure at Wat Phrao is its stupa. The original stupa was built around 1975. During the relocation of the temple from the former lowland site, moving the Buddha images was difficult, and some images were damaged beyond proper restoration. The community therefore enshrined the damaged Buddha image east of the viharn and built a stupa over it. Many valuable objects were also placed inside the stupa as offerings.

 

In 1992, the stupa was restored by building a larger brick structure around the original one. This helped preserve the sacred core while strengthening the structure for future generations. The restoration reflects the community’s respect for the original sacred object and its intention to preserve the religious memory of the former temple.

 

In 2013, cracks appeared in the stupa. The devotees of Wat Phrao consulted Phra Sophit Wiriyalangkar, assistant abbot of Wat Sangwet Witsayaram in Bangkok. In March 2014, the stupa was moved from the east side of the ubosot to the north side, behind the viharn, without destroying the original structure. This careful relocation was an important act of preservation and devotion.

 

After the relocation, a new outer structure was built to cover the original stupa. Its design was inspired by a stupa model from Luang Prabang, connecting the faith of Ban Phrao community with the broader artistic and Buddhist traditions of the Mekong and Lan Xang cultural region. The result is a stupa that preserves the old sacred core while presenting a renewed architectural form.

 

On February 2, 2015, devotees traveled to Sri Lanka to invite Buddha relics to be enshrined at the temple. The journey was conducted with the support of Phra Sophit Wiriyalangkar, who kindly assisted with the process. The successful invitation of the relics became a major milestone in the spiritual history of Wat Phrao and increased the significance of the stupa for local devotees.

 

Today, the stupa of Wat Phrao is more than an architectural structure. It contains the memory of the old temple, the preserved sacred image, valuable offerings, the devotion of the community, and Buddha relics from Sri Lanka. It is the spiritual heart of the temple and one of the most important reasons to visit Wat Phrao.

 

The atmosphere of Wat Phrao is calm and community-centered. It is not a large commercial tourist site, but it is meaningful for travelers interested in local Buddhist history, village faith, and the way rural temples in Nan adapt to environmental challenges. Visitors can pay respect to the Buddha images, see the stupa, and learn how the villagers preserved their temple through relocation and restoration.

 

Wat Phrao can be visited as part of a cultural route through Chiang Klang District. Nearby temples such as Wat Klang, Wat Nong Daeng, Wat Na Nun, Wat Nam O, and Wat Phuket each have their own stories. Together, they help travelers understand the religious and cultural landscape of northern Nan Province.

 

Getting There from Nan city is convenient by taking Highway 1080 toward Chiang Klang District, then continuing to Phra That Subdistrict and Ban Phrao. The temple is located at No. 23, Ban Phrao, Moo 2. Visitors can travel by private car, motorcycle, or local transport.

 

 

A: Wat Phrao is located at No. 23, Ban Phrao, Moo 2, Phra That Subdistrict, Chiang Klang District, Nan Province.

 

A: Wat Phrao was established in 1846.

 

A: The main highlight is Wat Phrao Stupa, which enshrines sacred objects and Buddha relics brought from Sri Lanka.

 

A: The stupa was first built around 1975 and later restored several times.

 

A: Wat Phrao received Visungkhamsima on June 9, 2011.

 

A: The current abbot is Phra Bai Dika Srichai Tipadhammo.

 

A: Nearby temples include Wat Klang, Wat Nong Daeng, Wat Na Nun, Wat Nam O, and Wat Phuket.