22 places to discover
Big Buddha Phuket is a 45-metre-tall white marble seated Maravija Buddha statue atop Nakkerd Hill between Chalong and Kata in Mueang Phuket District, Phuket. Visible from much of southern Phuket, it is one of the island's most prominent landmarks and a revered Buddhist site. Construction began in 2004 and the statue is clad in white Burmese marble, offering panoramic views over Chalong Bay, Kata and Karon.
Chao Mae Sahm Muk Shrine is a revered Chinese shrine atop Khao Sam Muk hill between Ang Sila and Bang Saen Beach in Saen Suk, Mueang Chonburi, Chonburi Province. Dedicated to Chao Mae Sahm Muk, a female deity from local legend, it is an important spiritual site for fishermen and the Thai-Chinese community. The shrine features traditional Chinese architecture, incense offerings, and panoramic views of the Gulf of Thailand.
Chomphon Cave (Tham Chomphon) is a small limestone cave in Chom Bueng Subdistrict, Chom Bueng District, Ratchaburi Province, western Thailand. Located on a low hill near the district town, it is known for its stalactites, stalagmites and colony of bats. Inside are several Buddha images and a reclining Buddha. The cave is historically noted for a visit by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) and remains a local religious and nature attraction.
Phra That Na Dun is a prominent Buddhist stupa and pilgrimage site in Na Dun District, Maha Sarakham Province, northeastern Thailand. Built between 1979 and 1986 to enshrine Buddha relics discovered at the ancient Dvaravati-era city of Champasri, the 50.5-meter-high chedi replicates historic regional architecture. Set in landscaped grounds with a relic museum, it is revered by Buddhists and is the province's most important religious landmark and cultural symbol.
Phra That Renu is a revered Buddhist chedi located within Wat Phra That Renu in Renu Nakhon District, Nakhon Phanom Province, northeastern Thailand. Built in 1918 as a smaller replica of Phra That Phanom, the 35-meter-high Lao-style stupa enshrines Buddhist scriptures and relics. It is particularly sacred for people born on Monday and serves as a center of Phu Thai culture and annual religious festivals.
The Udon Thani City Pillar Shrine (San Lak Mueang Udon Thani) is a revered shrine in central Udon Thani city, Mak Khaeng Subdistrict, Mueang Udon Thani District. Located beside Thung Si Mueang Park, it enshrines the city's guardian pillars and serves as the spiritual center of the province. Notable for its twin pillars, Chinese-influenced architecture, and daily worship by locals, it reflects the city's founding heritage and remains an important cultural landmark for visitors.
Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai is a historic Buddhist temple in Bang Phli Yai, Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan Province, Thailand, located along Khlong Samrong. It is best known for enshrining Luang Pho To, a highly revered Buddha image believed to have floated along the canal during the Ayutthaya period. The temple features traditional Thai architecture, murals and a canal-side setting and serves as the central venue for the annual Rap Bua Lotus Receiving Festival.
Wat Huay Pla Kang is a Buddhist temple complex located on a hill in Rim Kok Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai Province, northern Thailand. It is notable for its 9-tier Chinese-style pagoda and a 79-meter white statue of Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. Built in the 2000s under Phra Ajarn Phob Chok, the temple blends Thai Lanna and Chinese Mahayana styles and has become a major sightseeing and pilgrimage destination near Chiang Rai city.
Wat Khian Bang Kaeo is a historic Theravada Buddhist temple located in Chong Thanon Subdistrict, Khao Chaison District, Phatthalung Province, southern Thailand. Founded in the late Ayutthaya period, it is regarded as one of the oldest and most revered temples in Phatthalung. The temple is notable for its traditional southern Thai architecture, ancient ubosot, historic murals, and sacred Buddha images, serving as an important religious and cultural center.
Wat Klang Wiang is a historic Buddhist temple located in Wiang Subdistrict in the center of Mueang Chiang Rai, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. Situated near the Chiang Rai Clock Tower at the heart of the old city, it is one of the city's oldest temples, dating to the 15th century. The temple is notable for its Lanna-style viharn, ornate wood carvings, gilded Buddha images, and its role as a former enshrinement site for the Emerald Buddha.
Wat Pa Lelai Worawihan is a first-class Royal Buddhist temple located on the west bank of the Tha Chin River in Rua Yai Subdistrict, Mueang Suphan Buri District, Suphan Buri Province. Famous for its enormous seated Buddha image Luang Pho To, the temple is an ancient site dating to the early Ayutthaya period. It is closely associated with the Thai literary epic Khun Chang Khun Phaen and remains a major pilgrimage and cultural landmark for visitors to Suphan Buri.
Wat Pha Nam Thip Thep Prasit Wanaram, commonly known as Wat Pha Nam Yoi, is a prominent Buddhist temple on a hilltop in Nong Phok District, Roi Et Province, northeastern Thailand. It is best known for Phra Maha Chedi Chai Mongkol, one of Thailand's largest chedis, measuring 101 meters in width, length and height. The temple complex features ornate Isan and contemporary Buddhist architecture and serves as a major pilgrimage and sightseeing destination.
Wat Phanan Choeng is a historic Buddhist temple in Khlong Suan Phlu, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Ayutthaya, located at the confluence of the Chao Phraya and Pa Sak rivers. Built in 1324, 26 years before the founding of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, it is renowned for its 19-meter-high seated Buddha image, Luang Pho Tho. The temple remains an active place of worship and a major cultural landmark within the Ayutthaya area.
Wat Phra Kaew Chiang Rai is a historic Buddhist temple in Wiang Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Rai city, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. Originally called Wat Pa Yia, it is renowned as the discovery site of the Emerald Buddha (Phra Kaew Morakot) in 1434 after lightning struck its ancient chedi. The temple features Lanna-style architecture, a replica Emerald Buddha, the revered Phra Chao Lan Thong bronze Buddha image, and a small museum.
Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, commonly called Wat Yai, is a major Buddhist temple in Nai Mueang, Mueang Phitsanulok, on the east bank of the Nan River. Founded in 1357 during the Sukhothai period, it is renowned for housing Phra Phuttha Chinnarat, one of Thailand's most revered Buddha images. The complex features a Khmer-style prang, ornate viharn, gilded decorations, and a small museum, making it the spiritual and cultural center of Phitsanulok Province.
Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu is a hilltop Buddhist temple west of Mae Hong Son town in Chong Kham, Mueang Mae Hong Son District, Mae Hong Son Province. Perched on Doi Kong Mu hill, it is known for its two white Burmese-Shan style chedis enshrining Buddha relics and for panoramic views over the town, valley and airport. Built in the 19th century, it is the city's most revered temple and iconic viewpoint.
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a revered Theravada Buddhist temple located on Doi Suthep mountain, about 15 km northwest of Chiang Mai city in Suthep Subdistrict. Founded in 1383 during the Lanna Kingdom, it enshrines a relic of the Buddha in its gilded chedi. The temple is known for its 306-step Naga staircase, panoramic views over Chiang Mai, and its status as the most sacred temple in northern Thailand.
Wat Phra Yai, known as the Big Buddha Temple, is a prominent Buddhist temple on Ko Fan, a small islet connected by a causeway to northeastern Ko Samui in Bo Phut, Surat Thani. Built in 1972, it is famous for its 12-meter seated golden Buddha in Mara posture visible from afar. The temple is a major cultural landmark and one of Ko Samui's most visited attractions, offering religious significance and panoramic views.
Wat Phu Khao Thong is a historic Buddhist temple in Phu Khao Thong Subdistrict, northwest of Ayutthaya city, known for its towering 50-meter golden chedi. Originally built in 1569 by Burmese King Bayinnaung and later restored by Thai kings, it stands on elevated ground surrounded by open fields. The temple is notable for its Burmese-Thai architectural blend, panoramic views from the chedi terrace, and its status as a landmark of the Ayutthaya Historical Park area.
Wat Rai Khing, officially Wat Mongkol Chinda Ram Rai Khing, is a prominent Buddhist temple on the Tha Chin River in Rai Khing Subdistrict, Sam Phran District, Nakhon Pathom Province, about 32 km west of Bangkok. Founded in 1791, it enshrines the highly revered Chiang Saen-style Buddha image Luang Pho Wat Rai Khing. Known for its traditional Thai architecture, riverside setting, fish-feeding pier and temple market, it is a major center of worship and cultural activity.
Wat Roi Phra Phutthabat Phu Manrom is a hilltop Buddhist temple on Phu Manorom mountain about 5 km south of Mukdahan city in Mueang Mukdahan District, Mukdahan Province, northeastern Thailand. Notable for its large white seated Buddha statue overlooking the Mekong River and Mukdahan town, the temple enshrines a replica Buddha footprint and a Naga statue. It serves as a viewpoint and merit-making site with panoramic views of Thailand and Laos.
Wat Woranat Banphot is a historic Buddhist temple located on Khao Kop hill in Pak Nam Pho, Mueang Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Sawan Province, Thailand. Also known as Wat Khao Kop, it is one of the city's most prominent religious landmarks. The temple is notable for its hilltop chedi, replica of the Buddha's footprint, and panoramic views over Nakhon Sawan city and the confluence of the Ping and Nan Rivers. It remains an active place of worship and cultural importance.