Wat Pa Mok Worawihan (Reclining Buddha Temple)

History & Significance

Wat Pa Mok Worawihan traces its roots back to the Sukhothai period. Originally, the site comprised two adjacent temples known as Wat Chi Pa Khao and Wat Talat. During the Ayutthaya period, riverbank erosion from the Chao Phraya River threatened the original shrine. King Sanphet III (King Thai Sa) ordered Phraya Ratchasongkhram to lead a major engineering feat to move the Reclining Buddha image 168 meters away from the eroding riverbank to a new viharn at Wat Talat. King Thai Sa personally came to supervise the relocation. Following the successful move, the two temples were merged into one and named Wat Pa Mok, inspired by the abundance of Mok trees in the area.

The temple holds great historical relevance. Royal Chronicles record that King Naresuan the Great gathered his army and paid solemn respects to this Reclining Buddha image before marching to war against the Maha Uparat. Local legend also tells that the sacred image originally floated down the river and sank in front of the site before locals ceremoniously hauled it ashore.

Highlights & What to See

Wat Pa Mok Worawihan features several architectural and cultural treasures:

• Phra Phuttha Saiyat (Reclining Buddha): A brick-and-mortar image covered in gold leaf, measuring 22.58 meters from the topknot to the soles of the feet.
• Viharn Phra Phuttha Saiyat: Built in the late Ayutthaya architectural style, featuring a curved junk-shaped base, a two-tiered roof with side wing extensions, 9 bays, and doors decorated with fine gilded lacquer (Lai Rod Nam) patterns.
• Ubosot: A 5-bay ordination hall featuring slate stone boundary markers (Bai Sema) dating from the early Ayutthaya period, set upon lotus and lion bases.
• Viharn Khian: A 7-bay hall believed to have served as the royal temporary pavilion for King Thai Sa during the image relocation. The river-facing exterior wall features a raised platform where the King stood.
• Mondop & Four-Footprint Buddha: A plaster-adorned brick mondop housing a stone carving of the Four-Footprint Buddha.
• Other Structures: The temple complex also includes a Ho Trai (scripture hall) and the Shrine of Chao Mae Cho Makham.

Visitor Information

Wat Pa Mok Worawihan is open daily from 08:00 to 17:00. Admission is free of charge. Parking facilities are available on-site for visitors.