Wat Sala Loi

History & Significance

Wat Sala Loi was established in 1827 by Thao Suranari (widely known as Ya Mo) and her husband, the deputy governor of Nakhon Ratchasima. This temple holds deep historical and spiritual significance for the local people. In 1973, the temple's unique ordination hall (ubosot) was recognized with an outstanding award for pioneering religious architecture from the Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage, as well as an award from the Sathirakoses-Nagapradipa Foundation.

Highlights & What to See

The main highlight of Wat Sala Loi is its modern applied Thai-style ubosot, which is uniquely shaped like a Chinese junk boat riding the waves. The exterior walls are beautifully decorated with local Dan Kwian clay tiles, with the front wall depicting the Buddha defeating Mara and the back wall showing the Buddha descending from Tavatimsa Heaven. The metal doors feature embossed reliefs illustrating the 13 chapters of the Vessantara Jataka.

Inside the ubosot, you will find the main Buddha image, a stunning white plaster statue in the posture of forbidding the ocean (standing at the gate of Sankassa City). This sacred image is named "Phra Phuttha Praphat Sunthon Thamma Phisan Sala Loi Phiman Won San Ti Suk Munin". In front of the hall, a plaster statue of Thao Suranari sits praying in the middle of a pond. Nearby, there is also a small stupa that once housed her ashes before they were relocated to Wat Phra Narai Maharat.

Visitor Information

Wat Sala Loi is open daily to visitors from 08:00 to 18:00. There is no admission fee to enter the temple grounds. Visitors are advised to dress respectfully, covering shoulders and knees, when entering the sacred ordination hall. Parking facilities are available on-site for those traveling by private vehicle.

How to Get There

The temple is located at 205 Soi 1, Thao Sura Road, Nai Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, situated along the city moat. Visitors can easily reach the temple by local transport, taxi, or private car within Nakhon Ratchasima city center.