Among 40,000 Temples in Thailand, Here are the Most Beautiful Ones in Isaan
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Discover Wonderful Thailand Temples in Isaan (Northeast region)
Do you know how many temples there are in Thailand?
I will be surprised if you know…
According to the Buddhist Monastery Department of Thailand, there are 43,005 temples across Thailand (data as of May 2022)
Do you know which region has the most temples?
Many people might think Central Region has the majority because Bangkok and Ayutthaya are located in this region.
But, the correct answer is Northeast Region.
- Northeast Region or Isaan = 21,546 temples
- Central Region = 8,887 temples
- North Region = 5,631 temples
- South Region = 2,647 temples
- East Region = 2,430 temples
- West Region = 1,860 temples
- Undefined = 4 temples
Top 5 Thailand Temples from My Isaan Road Trip
My girlfriend and I had a road trip around Isaan region which we had been through 15 provinces (out of 20). We visited many amazing places and most of them I visited for the first time. (I will release more articles about the trip later)
In this post, I would like to present the beautiful and unique local temples that really impressed me and not a lot of foreigners know of their existence.
I picked five temples from four different provinces that I strongly recommended.
- Phra That Phanom, Nakhon Phanom
- Phra That Renu, Nakhon Phanom
- Sri Chai Mongkol Grand Pagoda, Roi ET
- Wat Sirindhorn Wararam, Ubon Ratchathani
- Wat Tham Pha Daen, Sakon Nakhon
These provinces are not famous destinations for most of you, but maybe some of you might be interested to visit them, once in a lifetime.
Especially for those who plan to stay in Thailand for months and want to explore and experience other provinces and places that are less touristy.
1. Phra That Phanom
Phra That Phanom or Wat Phra That Phanom Woramahawihan is located in Nakhon Phanom Province, Thailand’s border province with Laos. It is the province’s most famous and important temple.
A 53-meter-tall square-shaped stupa is believed to have been constructed before the 7th century. The architectural style is related to Khmer and Laotian and has been renovated periodically and restored over multi-generations.
The stupa contains the holy relics of the Lord Buddha as well as numerous other valuables. Its tip is made of gold and weighs 110 kilos.
If anyone comes to worship the relics seven times, they are considered “Children of Phra That Phanom,” who are blessed with long life and prosperity. Or even come once to pay respect to it, which is thought to bring good fortune in life.
The temple is only about 2 kilometers from the Laos mainland. As a result, Phra That Phanom is not only the spiritual center of the people of Nakhon Phanom, but also of Thais from other provinces and Laos.
Buddhist votive tablets, amulets and talismans are popular in Thailand. People wear them to enhance their prosperity, vigor, wellness and attractiveness.
2. Phra That Renu
Phra That Renu is another important temple in Nakhon Phanom Province, which is located not far from Phra That Phanom, around 20 minutes by vehicle.
Phra That Renu is a smaller version of Phra That Phanom, which was completed in 1918. The height is 35 meters.
A chamber inside the relics contains the Tripitaka, golden and silver Buddha images, valuables, and royal regalia, which were later packed with Buddha’s relics in 1976.
Because it is not that old, the temple is not as popular as Phra That Phanom, but it is still a spiritual center for the people who live nearby.
The highlight is the paint. It is white and pink in color and decorated with Thai patterns and golden flowers.
I’d never seen a pink temple before, so this one drew my attention lol
If you come to the province, these two temples are must-visit places.
3. Sri Chai Mongkol Grand Pagoda
In Roi ET province, there is a newly built temple that I would say is a place that everyone should visit once in a lifetime.
It’s different and unique. Stunning me at first sight. I definitely rank it as one of the most elegant Thailand temples, “Sri Chai Mongkol Grand Pagoda”.
Sri Chai Mongkol Grand Pagoda was built in 1988 and was completed in 1996. The architectural style is inspired by two temples;
- Phra Pathom Chedi in Nakhon Pathom (Central region)
- Phra That Phanom in Nakhon Phanom Province (Northeast region)
It’s built on an area of 101 rai (40 acres), width 101 meters, length 101 meters, height 101 meters. It’s painted white and golden with delicate interior detailing while using the garden and high wall to enhance the exterior.
The total build cost is about 3,000 million baht (85 million USD).
Elegant design and highly detailed interior decoration. Beyond expectation!
There are six floors inside the Pagoda, the top floor is pretty small and contains the relics of Lord Buddha. This floor was quite crowded so you might need to wait in a queue to get in.
By the way, you can park your car in front of the entrance, there is a small market. Then you can take the free shuttle bus to the temple or you can walk, it’s not that far.
4. Wat Sirindhorn Wararam
Venerable Grandfather Boonmak Thitipanyo was the founder of Wat Sirindhorn Wararam, Ubon Ratchathani province. He is a Laotian and came to Thailand to disseminate meditation training in 1952.
He established the temple as a venue for merit-making between Thai-Laos because it is very close to “Chong Mek”, a border crossing between Northeastern Thailand and Southern Laos.
The father names this temple “Wat Phu Prao”, which is well-known among locals
In 1973, due to political unrest in Lao, father Boonmak decided to go back to Lao and he died there 8 years later. The temple was left abandoned for almost 20 years until it was restored later in 1999.
Behind the main hall is a bas-relief sculpture depicting the Kalapapruek tree that glows in the dark. Because the tree was attached by mosaics which are coated by a fluorescent substance known as a phosphor.
The properties of fluorescent substances absorb sunlight during the day and emit it at night. In the dark, this phosphor allows the Kalapapruek tree to glow green.
As a result, the illumination is invisible during the day. It is best to observe the glowing tree in the evening, about 6 p.m. when the sun is setting and the sunlight is disappearing.
The highlight, however, is not only the tree, but this temple also provides a stunning view of the Mekong River and Laos.
I came to the temple during the day, so I didn’t witness the glowing but the scenery was spectacular. So, if you want to enjoy both the views and the glow, arrive around 5 PM.
5. Wat Tham Pha Daen
Wat Tham Pha Daen is in Sakon Nakhon province and is located on the top of a hill nearby the city district.
The temple is a popular tourist attraction that allures visitors by giving a completely different environment than what people expect when visiting temples.
The huge Naga statue, the rock carvings, the forest and garden, the café and the viewpoints are so unique. It’s an amazing experience that absolutely no other temples can provide.
Wat Tham Pha Daen is over a hundred years old but the highlights I mentioned are not old, I think. I cannot find the solid information but it appears that they were newly built.
In order to get to the temple, everyone must park their vehicles in the foothill and take Songthaew arranged by the temple to the entrance. It costs only 20 baht per person (round trip).
If you come to Sakon Nakhon province, you must visit Wat Tham Pha Daen. It is the most popular destination in Sakon Nakhon.
Hope you like the pictures and manage your schedule to visit some of the temples in Northeastern Thailand.
However, besides the time, what you need is a car. You CANNOT roam around the Isaan region using public transport unless you are proficient in Thai language.
Renting a motorbike is enough only for traveling within a province. But for interprovincial travel, you must rent a car because Isaan is a big region, and you need to travel quite a long distance between each attraction.
Here is more information about Isaan region and transportation cost