Wat Si Khom Kham

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.00 – 18.00

 

Wat Si Khom Kham, also widely known as Wat Phrachao Ton Luang, is one of the most important Buddhist temples in Phayao Province. Located beside Kwan Phayao in Mueang Phayao District, the temple is a third-class royal temple and home to Phrachao Ton Luang, a large gilded brick-and-stucco Buddha image in the Mara Vichai posture. For local people, this sacred image is not only the principal Buddha image of the temple but also a spiritual symbol of Phayao and the wider Lanna region.

 

For travelers visiting Phayao, Wat Si Khom Kham offers a meaningful combination of Buddhist faith, Lanna history, local legend, temple architecture, and lakeside scenery. The temple is easy to reach from the city center and can be combined with nearby attractions such as Kwan Phayao, Ho Watanatham Nithat at Wat Si Khom Kham, Wat Tilok Aram, the King Ngam Muang Monument, and several lakeside restaurants. It is suitable for visitors who want to pay respect to an important Buddha image, learn about Phayao’s cultural roots, and enjoy a calm atmosphere by the lake.

 

According to local legend, when the Buddha traveled to the Lanna region to teach sentient beings, he arrived near Nong Iang, an ancient water area associated with today’s Kwan Phayao. A goldsmith offered food to the Buddha but did not offer water. Venerable Ananda therefore went to draw water from Nong Iang. A naga living in the water refused to allow him to take the water, spreading its hood and producing smoke to block the way. After Ananda reported the incident, the Buddha went to the water himself.

 

When the naga saw the Buddha’s majestic presence and radiant aura, it became deeply faithful and allowed the water to be offered. The legend continues that the naga later brought gold to an elderly couple living near Nong Nok Iang so that they could help create a great Buddha image. This story links the temple’s spiritual identity with the landscape of Phayao, including the old water sources, the naga belief, local villagers, and the creation of Phrachao Ton Luang.

 

The construction of Phrachao Ton Luang began in 2034 B.E. during the reign of Phaya Mueang Yi, ruler of Phayao. The work was later continued under Phaya Hua Khian and Phra Mueang Tu. It took 33 years to complete and was finished in 2067 B.E. The long construction period reflects the shared faith of rulers, monks, artisans, and local communities who helped establish a great Buddhist image as a spiritual anchor for the city.

 

Phrachao Ton Luang is a large gilded Buddha image made of brick and stucco. It is enshrined inside the main viharn of Wat Si Khom Kham. The image has a lap width of about 14 meters and a height commonly described between 16 meters and 18.50 meters in different local references. Its golden surface, calm expression, and impressive scale make it one of the most revered Buddha images in northern Thailand. Many visitors come specifically to pay respect to Phrachao Ton Luang for blessings, peace of mind, and good fortune.

 

The name “Phrachao Ton Luang” carries a strong Lanna cultural meaning. “Ton Luang” refers to a great and important sacred image. The fact that many people call the temple Wat Phrachao Ton Luang shows how closely the temple’s identity is connected with the Buddha image. For the people of Phayao, this image represents continuity, protection, and the long-standing Buddhist faith of the city.

 

After the Buddha image was completed, a viharn was later built to cover and protect it. The main viharn remains the most important area of the temple today. Inside, the atmosphere is quiet, solemn, and respectful. Visitors usually spend time paying respect, making merit, sitting quietly, and appreciating the scale and beauty of the sacred image. The temple therefore serves both as a place of worship and as a living cultural landmark.

 

Wat Si Khom Kham plays several important roles in Phayao. Religiously, it is a major place for Buddhist ceremonies and merit-making. Historically, it preserves legends related to Nong Iang, the naga, and the creation of Phrachao Ton Luang. Culturally, it remains connected to local traditions such as paying homage, water-pouring rituals, hanging ceremonial flags, and Lanna-style dance performances during important events. As a tourist destination, it is one of the easiest and most meaningful places to visit in central Phayao.

 

One of the most important traditions connected with the temple is the Paet Peng ceremony honoring Phrachao Ton Luang. This major local event is held to pay respect to the sacred Buddha image and preserve the faith of the Phayao community. The event usually includes Buddhist ceremonies, merit-making, water-pouring rituals, ceremonial flags, cultural performances, and local activities. For travelers interested in Lanna culture, this festival shows that Wat Si Khom Kham is not only a historical temple but also a living center of local faith.

 

Besides the main viharn and Phrachao Ton Luang, the temple area is also connected to the scenery of Kwan Phayao. The lakeside area behind and around the temple offers a peaceful view, especially in the late afternoon when sunlight reflects on the water and the distant mountains form a beautiful background. This makes Wat Si Khom Kham a good place to combine a temple visit with a relaxed walk by the lake.

 

Another worthwhile place to visit nearby is Ho Watanatham Nithat at Wat Si Khom Kham, a cultural exhibition hall that presents historical objects, documents, old photographs, and stories related to Phayao. Visiting this exhibition area helps travelers understand the city beyond the temple itself. It gives context to Phayao’s history, local culture, Buddhist heritage, and the importance of Phrachao Ton Luang.

 

For those interested in Lanna art and architecture, Wat Si Khom Kham is worth observing slowly. The main viharn, the Buddha image, the temple layout, and the relationship between the sacred space and the lakeside landscape all show how religion and local geography are connected in Phayao. The large Buddha image emphasizes sacred presence and spiritual stability, while the surrounding temple grounds remain open and accessible to both local people and visitors.

 

A visit to Wat Si Khom Kham usually takes about 1 to 2 hours if the main purpose is to pay respect and walk around the temple. Travelers who also want to visit the cultural exhibition hall, enjoy the lakeside area, and eat at nearby restaurants should plan for half a day. Morning is ideal for a quieter temple visit, while late afternoon is excellent for lake views and photography. During festivals and long weekends, the temple can be busy, so visitors should allow extra time for parking and walking.

 

Getting There is convenient because the temple is located on Phahonyothin Road in Wiang Subdistrict, Mueang Phayao District. Travelers with a private car can drive directly into central Phayao and follow the route to Kwan Phayao or search for Wat Si Khom Kham / Wat Phrachao Ton Luang on a map application. Those using public transport can arrive at Phayao Bus Terminal and continue by local transport or a hired vehicle. The temple’s central location makes it easy to combine with other attractions in town.

 

Visitors should dress respectfully, keep quiet inside the viharn, remove shoes before entering sacred areas, and avoid inappropriate posing in front of the Buddha image. Those visiting during major Buddhist days or the Paet Peng festival should expect more worshippers than usual. A morning visit is recommended for a calm experience, while the evening is suitable for combining the temple with Kwan Phayao’s lakeside atmosphere.

 

Wat Si Khom Kham is therefore one of the essential places to visit in Phayao. It brings together sacred faith, local legend, Lanna history, cultural continuity, and natural scenery in one meaningful destination. Standing before Phrachao Ton Luang inside the main viharn, visitors can feel the depth of devotion that has continued for centuries and understand why this temple remains the spiritual heart of Phayao today.

 

 

A: Wat Si Khom Kham is located at 692 Moo 1, Phahonyothin Road, Wiang Subdistrict, Mueang Phayao District, Phayao Province, beside Kwan Phayao.

 

A: It is a third-class royal temple and home to Phrachao Ton Luang, one of the most revered Buddha images of Phayao and the Lanna region.

 

A: Construction began in 2034 B.E. and was completed in 2067 B.E., taking 33 years to finish.

 

A: The temple is open daily from 08.00 to 18.00.

 

A: The main tradition is the Paet Peng ceremony honoring Phrachao Ton Luang, featuring Buddhist rituals, water-pouring, ceremonial flags, and Lanna cultural activities.

 

A: Visitors can drive via Phahonyothin Road into central Phayao or take public transport to Phayao Bus Terminal and continue by local transport or hired vehicle.

 

A: A basic temple visit takes about 1 to 2 hours, but travelers who also visit the cultural hall, Kwan Phayao, and nearby restaurants should plan for half a day.

 

A: Nearby attractions include Kwan Phayao, Ho Watanatham Nithat, King Ngam Muang Monument, Wat Tilok Aram, and Wat Si Umong Kham.