There is no information about the construction or founder of this temple, but it was originally two separate temples: Wat Phra Bat and Wat Ming Muang. These were united in 1959 and elevated to the status of a royal temple in 1955. The temple's main Buddha statue, Phra Kosai, reminiscent of the Chinnarat Buddha in Phitsanulok, is the most important in the province. The octagonal chedi is considered the heart of the city of Phrae. According to legend, Buddha once came here and left a sacred footprint on the site where the temple now stands. The temple also houses a small museum, which was unfortunately closed during our visit. Wat Phra Bat Ming Muang is usually the first stop on an old town tour, which also includes Wat Luang, Wat Pong Sunan, Wat Phra Non, and the Vongburi House.

Free admission. Open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you have followed my recommendation and are staying near Wat Phong Sunan, Wat Phra Bat Ming Muang is only a 10-15 minute walk away.

Wat Phra Bat Ming Muang is a temple, and when visiting a temple in Thailand there are some rules to follow: appropriate clothing (knees and shoulders should be covered), take off your shoes when entering the building, be quiet, do not hug or kiss, do not point your feet at the Buddha statue, do not smoke.

How to get there

How do you get to Wat Phra Bat Ming Muang? If you followed my recommendation and are staying near Wat Phong Sunan, Wat Phra Bat Ming Muang is only a 10-15 minute walk away.