Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple)

History & Significance

In the past, the site of Wat Rong Suea Ten was an abandoned temple with ancient brick ruins. According to local accounts, the area had few houses and was populated by wildlife, particularly tigers that leaped across the local water channel, giving the area the name Rong Suea Ten. The initiative to rebuild the temple began in 1996, and formal construction began on October 27, 2005. The temple received its official authorization on August 21, 2015, and the main vihara was completed on January 22, 2016, after 11 years of construction.

Highlights & What to See

• The Blue Vihara: Measuring 13 meters wide and 48 meters long, the hall features a neotraditional Thai art style with rich blue tones trimmed with gold.
• Naga Sculptures: Guarding the entrance of the vihara are two large Naga sculptures influenced by the artistic style of National Artist Thawan Duchanee.
• Phra Buddha Ratchamongkol Bodi Trilokanat: The central pearl-white Buddha statue measures 5 meters across the lap and 6.5 meters in height. Underneath the statue are 88,000 buried Phra Rod Lamphun amulets and precious treasures, while Buddha relics bestowed by Supreme Patriarch Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara are enshrined in the head.
• Standing White Buddha: Standing behind the vihara is a large white Buddha statue in the posture of calming the relatives, rising to a height matching the temple hall.
• Phra That Ket Kaeo Chulamanee Ha Phra Ong: A 20-meter-high stupa situated on the grounds that houses sacred Buddha relics.

Visitor Information

Wat Rong Suea Ten is open daily from 07:00 to 20:00. Admission is free. Facilities at the site include parking areas and public restrooms. For inquiries, the temple can be contacted by phone at 06 4347 3636.

How to Get There

The temple is located in the Rong Suea Ten community, Rim Kok subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Rai district, Chiang Rai province, situated along the Kok River.