Wat Chumnumnai

Rating: 2.9/5 (16 votes)

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08:00 – 17:00

 

Wat Chumnumnai is located in Moo 4, Wang Chan Subdistrict, Wang Chan District, Rayong Province. The temple is revered as a sacred place that reflects the devotion and collective effort of the monastic community and local villagers to create a serene meditation space embraced by nature. Its most distinctive feature is the ordination hall on the water, set quietly on a broad pond, surrounded by lush greenery and calming natural sounds — both a religious symbol and a piece of architecture the people of Wang Chan take pride in.

 

The temple’s story goes back to around 1977 (B.E. 2520). At that time, the abbot envisioned a place where laypeople could come to practice meditation, something novel and inspiring for practitioners. This led to the idea of building a “meditation pavilion on the water,” symbolizing detachment from the outside world — being encircled by water as an entry into inner stillness. That concept later became the starting point for constructing the ordination hall on the water.

 

The succeeding abbot carried the idea forward, transforming the meditation pavilion into a permanent waterborne ordination hall for formal Buddhist ceremonies. Construction took several years, completed through the faith and generosity of local communities and donors. The finished structure became a visual emblem of the area’s spirit — people safeguarding and passing down the Buddha’s teachings together.

 

Wat Chumnumnai’s waterborne ordination hall is a Thai-inspired concrete building with layered traditional-style roofs, set upon a raised platform extending into a surrounding pond. The pond demarcates the sacred boundary of the hall while creating a cool, tranquil atmosphere for visitors. A concrete bridge leads across the water to the hall, catching the morning and evening light beautifully. Especially near sunset, warm golden rays touch the roof and water, creating a peaceful, arresting scene. It’s a favorite time for locals and travelers alike to take photos and pay respects to the principal Buddha image inside.

 

Beyond the ordination hall, another key site is the “Dhamma Courtyard of the Naga-Protected Buddha,” an open area arranged for meditation and Dhamma activities. At its center stands a large gold Naga-protected Buddha image, striking and much venerated. Many believe that paying homage to the Naga-protected Buddha brings protection from harm and fosters a calm, auspicious life.

 

The Dhamma Courtyard has thus become a place where devotees chant, meditate, and offer alms, especially on Buddhist observance days and major festivals such as Makha Puja, Visakha Puja, and Asalha Puja. The temple organizes special activities for the faithful — community merit-making, Dhamma talks, and candlelight processions — a warm, communal scene that reflects the character of a grassroots temple.

 

People come daily from Wang Chan and nearby districts such as Klaeng, Pluak Daeng, and Ban Bueng to make merit, pay respects, and join temple events. Weekends are particularly lively. Families often bring children to make merit, feed the fish, or stroll around the pond encircling the hall, letting the young learn about Buddhism and good deeds in a relaxed setting.

 

Large trees shade the grounds, ideal for those seeking quiet or seated meditation. Birdsongs and breezes through the leaves add to the restful feel. Wat Chumnumnai is not only a place for religious rites; it is also a space for anyone to rest body and mind.

 

What stands out is how the temple preserves the elegant simplicity of a rural monastery. Buildings are not ostentatious; every element reflects modesty and sincere faith. The temple remains a community hub, hosting annual kathina and robe-offering ceremonies, New Year merit-making, and moral instruction for local youth, with the abbot and resident monks coordinating these efforts.

 

For those wishing to practice meditation, Wat Chumnumnai welcomes short retreats on certain occasions (advance contact is recommended). The temple has clean, simple halls and monastic accommodations suited to quiet practice. Meditating amid nature and the gentle sounds of water around the ordination hall is often described as deeply calming and restorative.

 

As a spiritual center for Wang Chan Subdistrict, the temple is especially vibrant during major festivals — Songkran, Buddhist Lent (Khao Phansa), and the End of Rains Retreat (Ok Phansa). There are merit-making fairs, candle processions, Dhamma talks, and morning alms-giving, reflecting longstanding local traditions carried into the present.

 

Visiting Wat Chumnumnai isn’t just sightseeing; it’s a chance to experience the Eastern rural way of life, rooted in the Dhamma and gratitude to one’s home. The temple stands as a symbol of faith, unity, and giving without expectation.

 

Getting There is straightforward via multiple routes. The main road is Ban Bueng – Klaeng (Highway 344). Upon entering Wang Chan District, turn onto the local road (Ror.Ror. 3008). Signage points the way to the temple. It is roughly 10 km from Wang Chan town center. The road is in good condition year-round.

 

From Rayong City, it’s about 70 km (around 1 hour by car). Without a private car, take a van on the Rayong – Klaeng – Ban Bueng route and alight at Wang Chan Market, then continue by local songthaew or motorcycle taxi to the temple.

 

There is ample parking for visitors. Small community stalls sell drinks, snacks, and simple souvenirs. Part of the proceeds supports temple maintenance and village public-benefit activities.

 

Cultural travelers can plan a half-day or full-day route starting at Wat Chumnumnai, then continue to nearby attractions such as Suan Lamai (around 25 km away), a well-known agritourism site. Another option is Wat Nam Tok Tham Marot, famed for its pink ordination hall on the water — an interesting contrast in concept and aesthetics among Eastern-region temples.

 

Also worth a stop is Wang Chan Reservoir (about 8 km from the temple), a favorite local relaxation spot, quiet and scenic for cycling or watching the sunset glimmer on the water.

 

Set within nature, the temple offers learning on both religion and environment. Visitors can feel the balance of faith and landscape, witnessing how a sacred place was built and sustained by community spirit and generosity.

 

For photography enthusiasts, this is a peaceful vantage point for architecture-on-water reflections at dawn and dusk. Please respect the sanctity of the site: avoid drones or equipment that may disrupt monastic routines or meditation sessions.

 

In short, Wat Chumnumnai brings together faith, architecture, and nature in one place. Modest in scale yet rich in quiet beauty, it represents a calm that’s rare today. Visitors tend to leave with both merit made and a lighter heart.

 

 

A: Its signature is the ordination hall on the water, plus the Dhamma Courtyard with a gold Naga-protected Buddha, a symbol of the community’s faith and calm.

 

A: A waterborne meditation pavilion was initiated around 1977 (B.E. 2520) and later developed into a permanent ordination hall through community support.

 

A: Early morning or late afternoon offers cooler air and beautiful reflective light on the water for both worship and photography.

 

A: Yes. On major Buddhist days the temple hosts candlelight processions, alms-giving, and meditation activities for the community.

 

A: Yes, in designated spots. Please keep the grounds and water clean.

 

A: Take a van to Wang Chan Market, then continue by local songthaew or motorcycle taxi to the temple.

 

A: A number shared by the local community is 087-104-4912. Consider calling ahead to confirm details.