Wat Phra Kaew (วัดพระแก้ว) Phraek Sriracha Subdistrict, Sankhaburi District | Chainat

Wat Phra Kaew, a magnificent temple with a roughly 700-year-old U-Thong-style chedi, is considered by archaeologists to be the most beautiful temple in Thailand. It also houses the Luang Pho Chai statue, created in the 18th or 19th century of the Buddhist calendar. The statue is composed of five sandstone blocks. Behind the Buddha statue is a sandstone lintel in the style of ancient Khmer art, depicting Shiva on the elephant Erawan inside an inverted glass pavilion. It is estimated to be over 1000 years old. Address: 22 Moo 10, Phraek Si Racha Subdistrict, Sankhaburi District, Chainat Province

Wat Phra Kaew in Chainat is an ancient temple in the Sankhaburi district. It houses a square chedi, considered the "Queen of Chedis in Southeast Asia," and a statue of Luang Pho Chai with a lintel in the style of ancient Khmer art. It was originally called "Wat Kaew" or "Wat Phob Kaew" after a beautifully colored crystal Buddha statue was discovered inside the chedi. The temple was built in the early Ayutthaya period and renovated around 1907 during the Rattanakosin period.

Location: Village No. 10, Phraek Si Racha Subdistrict, Sankhaburi District, Chainat Province

Type: Buddhist Mahanikaya Temple

Period: Built in the early Ayutthaya period and renovated during the Rattanakosin period

Origin of the name: Originally it was called "Wat Kaew" or "Wat Phob Kaew" after a multicolored glass Buddha statue was discovered inside the chedi.

Architecture and Highlights

Main Chedi: The “Queen of Chedis in Southeast Asia,” a tall Lavo-style chedi that combines elements of late Dvaravati art. It is distinguished by a recessed wooden base in the Sukhothai and Srivijaya styles.

Luang Pho Chai: A Buddha statue made of red laterite, located in the Viharn in front of the Chedi and approximately 800 years old.

Door lintel: A Khmer artifact from the Bapuan period (c. 1550–1650 CE), mounted upside down behind Luang Pho Chai. It likely originated from a nearby Khmer temple.

Luang Pho Ploy (Luang Pho Loi): A stucco Buddha statue that was brought here from an abandoned temple and worshipped by villagers.

Luang Pho Khao: A white Buddha image placed in an open viharn behind the chedi.

Yak Wat Chaeng: a large, imposing sculpture.

Sala Phra Khanthararat: a building with beautiful architecture.

Coordinates: https://goo.gl/maps/JyJLXmV76s865DjCA