Wat Phra Thaen Sila At (Phra Thaen Sila At Temple)

History & Significance

Wat Phra Thaen Sila At, formerly known as Wat Mahathat, is an ancient temple of unknown origin located on Khao Tao (or Khao Thong) hill in Thung Yang Subdistrict, Laplae District. While it is not mentioned in Sukhothai-era stone inscriptions, it first appears in royal chronicles when King Borommakot visited to pay respects in 1740. The temple is so deeply revered that the sacred Phra Thaen Sila At is featured on the provincial seal of Uttaradit. In 1908, a forest fire destroyed the temple's mandapa and vihara, leaving only the laterite slab intact. King Rama V subsequently ordered a complete restoration of the site. In 2006, the temple was elevated to a third-class royal temple under the Dhammayuttika Nikaya sect.

Highlights & What to See

The main highlight is the Phra Thaen Sila At, a sacred rectangular laterite slab measuring 8 feet wide, 10 feet long, and 3 feet high. Its base is decorated with lotus petal patterns, and it is housed under a Chiang Saen-style mandapa inside the main vihara. According to ancient beliefs, the five Buddhas of this Bhadrakalpa have sat and will sit on this stone slab to practice meditation.

The vihara itself features magnificent teakwood carved doors, which originally belonged to the Phra Phuttha Chinnarat Vihara at Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Woramahawihan in Phitsanulok. Inside the vihara, visitors can view paintings depicting the royal duties of the Chakri Dynasty.

Additionally, the temple houses a Local Museum located in an old two-story wooden Lanna-style sermon hall founded by Mr. Chalemsilp Chayapalo. The ground floor displays ancient fishing tools and traditional paddle boats. The upper floor showcases the traditional lifestyles of royals and locals, wickerwork, blacksmith tools, traditional herbal medicine preparation equipment, Sukhothai-era Sangkhalok ceramics, an Ayutthaya-style royal pulpit, a Buddha image carved from an ancient Bodhi tree, and various Buddha images from the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya periods.

Visitor Information

The temple and museum are open to visitors daily from 08:00 to 17:00. Admission is free. An annual worship festival is held on the full moon of the 3rd lunar month. Facilities include parking. For inquiries, visitors can contact the temple at 08 9267 5644 or 08 1040 0064.

How to Get There

Wat Phra Thaen Sila At is located at 84 Moo 6, Thung Yang Road, Ban Phra Thaen, Thung Yang Subdistrict, Laplae District, Uttaradit. It is situated on Khao Tao hill, just a short distance past Wat Phra Yuen Phutthabat Yukhon, which lies on the eastern side of the same hill.