Phra That Kham Kaen

Phra That Kham Kaen is a revered Buddhist stupa located at Wat Jetiyaphum in Ban Kham, Nam Phong District, Khon Kaen Province, northeastern Thailand. Believed to enshrine relics of the Buddha, the white chedi with a golden spire stands on the site of a decayed tamarind tree stump that gives the monument and province its name. It is the most sacred religious landmark in Khon Kaen and a center for annual merit-making festivals.

Visitors can expect a tranquil temple compound centered on a white bell-shaped chedi with a golden spire set on a raised base. The stupa is surrounded by a paved courtyard, smaller shrines, Buddha images, and naga sculptures. The grounds include the main viharn, prayer halls, and shaded areas with trees. Visitors can walk around the chedi for circumambulation, observe local worship and merit-making, and explore the quiet rural setting of Ban Kham village.

According to local legend, the stupa was built to enshrine relics of the Buddha brought by nine monks, placed on a decayed tamarind tree stump (kham kaen). The structure is associated with the Dvaravati period and has been restored several times. The name of the stupa later gave rise to the name of Khon Kaen Province. It is regarded as the oldest and most historically important chedi in the province.

Phra That Kham Kaen is the most sacred Buddhist monument for the people of Khon Kaen Province and a symbol of the province's identity. It is a center for Buddhist worship, merit-making, and the annual Phra That Kham Kaen Festival held on the full moon day of the sixth lunar month, which includes religious ceremonies and local cultural activities.