Rating: 4.3/5 (4 votes)

Opening Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.00 - 17.00

 

Wat Intharam, located in Moo 5, Bang Yang Subdistrict, Ban Sang District, Prachinburi Province, is a riverside temple along the Bang Pakong River. At first glance it may seem like a simple rural temple, yet within its grounds lie historical memories that connect national history with local life. Two significant events are often mentioned here: the royal visit of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in R.S.127 (1908) during his journey to Prachinburi, and the pavilion of Prince Abhakara Kiartivongse, Prince of Chumphon, which was later dedicated to become the old ordination hall together with a bed donated to Phra Bun Rueang. These stories elevate Wat Intharam from a modest riverside monastery to a living site of collective memory.

 

The temple sits on a curve of the Bang Pakong River. During the day, fishing boats and local ferries pass by, with trees lining the riverbank and creating a tranquil setting more peaceful than the district town. For visitors, it is an ideal place to rest, watch the flow of the river, and observe community traditions that still tie closely to the temple, especially seasonal festivals held at the end of the rainy season.

 

Wat Intharam was established around 1819 (B.E.2362) and received its consecration boundary (Visung Kamsima) on 6 September 1979 (B.E.2522). Its key structures include a reinforced concrete ordination hall (built in 1976), a sermon hall measuring 14 × 24 meters, a prayer hall from 1972, a vihara 9 × 9 meters (built in 1991), several monks’ residences, and a riverside pavilion. These buildings represent both the continuity of the temple and the adaptation of the community over time.

 

The first important event connected to the temple is the royal journey of King Rama V on December 19, R.S.127. Historical records confirm his journey through Prachinburi during that period, though local oral tradition specifies Wat Intharam as one of the resting places. This blending of national archives and community memory makes the temple an interesting case of how history is remembered on the ground.

 

The second story concerns Prince of Chumphon. Local accounts recall that his pavilion was given to build the old ordination hall, and a bed was donated to Phra Bun Rueang. These details, preserved in oral tradition and possibly in the temple museum, invite visitors to explore and see whether artifacts or explanatory plaques still exist today. It shows how objects can embody connections between royal figures and local monasteries.

 

In terms of faith, the temple houses “Luang Pho Khum,” a revered Buddha image that locals hold sacred. Paying respect to this image is often the first act of worship for visitors. It reflects not only the art of Buddhist sculpture but also the continuing bond between community and temple.

 

Another highlight is the Wat Intharam Museum, which displays traditional household tools, agricultural equipment, and local objects tied to the riverside way of life. Walking slowly through the exhibits allows visitors to understand how Bang Yang and Ban Sang developed around the Bang Pakong River. Conversations with the caretakers add depth to the experience, preserving local knowledge that might otherwise fade.

 

The riverside pavilion provides a quiet place to sit, enjoy the breeze, and watch reflections of trees on the water. Seasonal changes in the river’s level make the view dynamic, offering photographers and visitors different atmospheres throughout the year.

 

Annual festivals, such as Kathin ceremonies, remain vibrant and showcase the collective spirit of the community. Visiting during these times reveals the devotion and cooperation of the villagers as they decorate, process, and celebrate together.

 

Traveling to Wat Intharam: By private car, take Highway 319 from Chachoengsao to Ban Sang, then follow local roads to Bang Yang Subdistrict. By train, take the Eastern Line and get off at Ban Sang Station, from which local transport can be arranged to the temple. The train journey offers views of the countryside along Chachoengsao–Prachinburi, especially beautiful in the early morning light.

 

The best time to visit is late rainy season through the cool season, when the weather is comfortable and the river breeze pleasant. Visitors are asked to dress politely, speak softly within sacred areas, and request permission before photographing inside the museum or near sacred objects.

 

Ultimately, Wat Intharam demonstrates how a local riverside temple can embody both national and community history. The royal journey in R.S.127 and the story of the Prince of Chumphon’s pavilion show how memory, faith, and local heritage intertwine in this serene corner of the Bang Pakong River.

 

 

A: It is in Moo 5, Bang Yang Subdistrict, Ban Sang District, Prachinburi Province, along the Bang Pakong River.

 

A: The main sacred image is “Luang Pho Khum.” Visitors can also explore the temple museum displaying local and historical objects.

 

A: Records confirm the royal journey in R.S.127 through Prachinburi, while the temple itself is remembered in local oral tradition. Visitors may check exhibits in the museum for more details.

 

A: Yes. Take the Eastern Line train to Ban Sang Station, then continue by local transport to the temple.

 

A: Late rainy season through the cool season, when the weather is pleasant and the riverside scenery is at its best.