Wat Bang Riang

Wat Bang Riang, also known as Wat Rat Upatham, is a prominent hilltop Buddhist temple in Bang Riang Subdistrict, Thap Put District, Phang Nga Province. Set atop Khao Lan mountain, it is notable for its large chedis, Buddha images and panoramic views over Phang Nga countryside. The temple enshrines Buddha relics and serves as an important religious and sightseeing landmark in southern Thailand.

Visitors can expect a hilltop temple complex reached by a winding road and stairways, with multiple structures including the Phra That Chedi Phutthatham Banlue, a bell-shaped chedi enshrining Buddha relics, a large seated Buddha image, and a Kuan Yin statue. The grounds offer open courtyards, ornate decorations, and elevated viewpoints overlooking limestone hills and villages. The atmosphere is that of an active Buddhist temple with areas for worship and merit-making.

Wat Bang Riang was developed as a community temple to enshrine Buddha relics. The main chedi, Phra That Chedi Phutthatham Banlue, was built to house relics and has become a focal point for Buddhist devotion in Phang Nga. Construction and expansion were supported by local monks and lay community.

The temple is an important Buddhist religious site for residents of Thap Put and Phang Nga, used for worship, merit-making, and religious festivals. It reflects southern Thai Buddhist traditions and serves as a pilgrimage and cultural landmark in the province.