Wat Chedi Khiri Wihan

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.00 – 17.00

 

Wat Chedi Khiri Wihan, also known by its former name Wat Pa Kaeo, is an important ancient Buddhist temple in Laplae District, Uttaradit Province. It is located in Moo 1, Ban Wat Pa, Fai Luang Subdistrict, about 10 kilometers from Uttaradit city via Highways 1040-1043. The temple is best known for its Lanka-style relic stupa enshrining relics of the Buddha, its graceful Sukhothai-style principal Buddha image, and its carved wooden doors and gable that reflect the refined craftsmanship of traditional Thai temple art.

 

Wat Chedi Khiri Wihan is a meaningful destination for travelers who want to combine worship, local history, and cultural learning in one visit. It is not only a place to pay respect to a sacred relic stupa but also a temple that reflects the long religious and artistic heritage of Laplae. Visitors can experience a calm temple atmosphere, see Buddhist art, and understand how faith has shaped the identity of this old community in Uttaradit Province.

 

The temple’s former name, Wat Pa Kaeo, suggests its old connection with the natural and community landscape of Laplae. Over time, the temple became known as Wat Chedi Khiri Wihan because of the importance of its stupa. The name highlights the sacred chedi and the temple’s relationship with the surrounding landscape. For local people, the temple is a place of worship, merit-making, and cultural memory.

 

The most important feature of the temple is the Lanka-style relic stupa. In Theravada Buddhist tradition, a stupa that enshrines relics of the Buddha is one of the most sacred forms of Buddhist architecture. Devotees come to pay respect, offer flowers and candles, and pray for blessings. The stupa at Wat Chedi Khiri Wihan therefore serves as both a religious monument and a spiritual center for the local community.

 

The Lanka-style form of the stupa reflects the influence of Theravada Buddhist architectural traditions. Its dignified shape gives the temple a strong sacred identity. For visitors, the stupa is not merely an architectural structure; it represents devotion, continuity, and the preservation of Buddhism in the Laplae area across many generations.

 

Historically, Wat Chedi Khiri Wihan is associated with the old community of Laplae. Local accounts describe the temple as having been established around 1519 BE under the former name Wat Pa Kaeo. This long history gives the temple deep cultural significance. It connects religious devotion with local legends, early settlement, and the memory of the old town of Laplae.

 

The principal Buddha image inside the temple is a beautiful Sukhothai-style Buddha image. Sukhothai Buddhist art is widely admired for its serene expression, balanced proportions, and graceful spiritual presence. Seeing this Buddha image gives visitors an opportunity to appreciate one of the most refined artistic traditions in Thai Buddhist history.

 

The carved wooden doors and gable are also important artistic features. In Thai temple architecture, carved woodwork often carries symbolic meaning and reflects the skill of local artisans. These decorative elements are not merely ornamental; they express devotion through craftsmanship and help create a sacred atmosphere suitable for worship.

 

The temple remains an active Buddhist site under the care of Phra Palat Wichan Siripanyo. Monks reside at the temple, and Buddhist activities continue to serve the local community. This active monastic presence helps keep the temple meaningful not only as a historical attraction but also as a living place of merit-making and Buddhist practice.

 

Wat Chedi Khiri Wihan is also connected with important religious ceremonies, including merit-making and worship activities related to the stupa. The robe-wrapping ceremony for the chedi is a meaningful act of devotion that reflects the continuing faith of local people and provincial communities. Such ceremonies show that the temple’s heritage is not frozen in the past; it continues through living practice.

 

For cultural travelers, the temple can be included in a Laplae temple route together with Wat Phra Borommathat Thung Yang, Wat Phra Thaen Sila At, Wat Phra Yuen Phutthabat Yukhon, Laplae Gate, and Laplae Museum. This route allows visitors to see several layers of Uttaradit’s heritage, from relic worship and Sukhothai art to local food, old communities, and northern lower Thai cultural identity.

 

A good visit to Wat Chedi Khiri Wihan should begin with paying respect to the principal Buddha image, followed by worship at the relic stupa. Visitors can then spend time observing the carved wooden doors, the gable details, and the peaceful temple surroundings. A visit of about 45 minutes to 1 hour is recommended for those who want to appreciate the temple beyond a brief photo stop.

 

Getting There is most convenient by private car. From Uttaradit city, travel toward Laplae District and continue to Fai Luang Subdistrict via Highways 1040-1043. The temple is about 10 kilometers from the city and is located in Ban Wat Pa. Travelers can search for Wat Chedi Khiri Wihan or Wat Pa Kaeo on a navigation map.

 

Visitors without a private vehicle can use local hired transport from Uttaradit city or Laplae. If planning to visit multiple sites in the same day, hiring a vehicle is more convenient because it allows time to stop at Wat Chedi Khiri Wihan, Laplae town, Thung Yang, and nearby temples without rushing.

 

Food options around the temple and Laplae include local restaurants, simple food stalls, cafes, and traditional Laplae dishes such as khao phan phak and mee phan. Accommodation is available in Thung Yang and Uttaradit city. Many travelers choose to stay in Uttaradit city because it offers more hotel options while still allowing easy access to Laplae for a day trip.

 

Visitors should dress modestly and behave respectfully. Since the temple contains sacred Buddhist objects and old artistic elements, visitors should not touch the stupa, carved woodwork, or sacred images unnecessarily. Photography should be done with care, especially when monks or local worshippers are present.

 

Overall, Wat Chedi Khiri Wihan is one of the meaningful temples to visit in Uttaradit Province. Its Lanka-style relic stupa, Sukhothai-style Buddha image, carved wooden elements, and long association with Laplae make it a valuable destination for worship, cultural travel, and historical learning. It is a quiet but important temple that reveals the depth of Buddhist faith in Fai Luang and Laplae.

 

 

A: Wat Chedi Khiri Wihan is located in Moo 1, Ban Wat Pa, Fai Luang Subdistrict, Laplae District, Uttaradit Province, about 10 kilometers from Uttaradit city.

 

A: The temple was formerly known as Wat Pa Kaeo, an old temple associated with the Ban Wat Pa community in Laplae District.

 

A: The main sacred feature is the Lanka-style relic stupa enshrining relics of the Buddha, together with a graceful Sukhothai-style principal Buddha image.

 

A: The abbot is Phra Palat Wichan Siripanyo.

 

A: The temple is open daily from 08.00 to 17.00.

 

A: From Uttaradit city, travel toward Laplae District and continue to Fai Luang Subdistrict via Highways 1040-1043. The temple is about 10 kilometers from the city.

 

A: Visitors can see a Lanka-style stupa, a Sukhothai-style Buddha image, carved wooden doors, and a carved wooden gable.

 

A: Nearby places include Laplae Old Town, Laplae Gate, Laplae Museum, Wat Phra Borommathat Thung Yang, and Wat Phra Thaen Sila At.