Wat Lai Nan

Wat Lai Nan is located in Ban Lai Nan, Village No. 1, Lai Nan Subdistrict, Wiang Sa District, Nan Province. It belongs to the Mahanikaya sect of Buddhism and occupies a total area of 1 rai and 3 ngan. The temple is situated on the eastern bank of the Nan River, approximately 7 kilometers from the Wiang Sa District Office.

 

The temple was established in 1868 (B.E. 2411) and was officially granted Wisungkhamsima (a consecrated boundary) on November 10, 1914 (B.E. 2457), with the designated area measuring 16 meters wide and 21 meters long.

 

The temple complex includes one ordination hall, two sermon halls, one monk’s residence, and other sacred objects. As of 2013 (B.E. 2556), the abbot is Phra Kru Kittidham Wisut.

 

The name “Lai Nan” means “opposite,” referring to the location of the village on the other side of the Nan River. Originally, villagers from Ban Bun Yuen crossed the river to farm the fertile lands on the eastern bank. As the community grew, a village was formed and named “Ban Lai Nan,” which was later standardized as “Ban Lai Nan.” The temple was named after the village.

 

Wat Lai Nan actively promotes and preserves local arts, culture, and traditions through various activities organized annually. These include cultural education programs, religious training, community learning initiatives, and traditional festivals such as the Phra That Chom Chaeng worship event, the candle offering ceremony for Buddhist Lent, New Year’s chanting, ethical training programs in honor of the King, computer education, good deeds initiatives for the King, traditional sermon festivals, and the Loy Krathong celebration. These events are conducted in collaboration with residents of Ban Lai Nan Village No. 1 and Ban Lai Nan Nuea Village No. 8 to uphold the cultural heritage of the community and to support the annual boat racing festival in Wiang Sa District and Nan Province.