Wat Khositaram: Paying Respect to Luang Pho Kuay in Chai Nat

Today we are taking you to pay respect to Luang Pho Kuay at Wat Khositaram in Chai Nat. When people think of Chai Nat they usually think of nature, but today we are stopping somewhere to bring a little good fortune.

Chai Nat is in central Thailand and lies on the way to the north. If you are driving through, we recommend a temple to bless your journey north: Wat Khositaram, also called Wat Luang Pho Kuay.

A quiet, shady temple

We wanted a quiet temple that is not crowded and where parking is easy, and this place was exactly that. It is calm and uncrowded, so you can pray with real focus, and the grounds are green and shady.

Inside the temple there is a map showing the way to each worship point. You can follow the whole route or just visit a few spots depending on your time. The trees carry signs with thoughtful sayings about life, and there are pavilions where you can sit and enjoy the breeze. It is very soothing.

Paying respect to Luang Pho Kuay

Following the signs, we first paid respect to the Buddha in front of the ordination hall, then headed to see Luang Pho Kuay's body. The entrance is clearly signposted. Inside, the preserved body of Luang Pho Kuay lies in a clear glass coffin, with a statue of him in front. This is where you can make your wishes. There is a donation box in front of the statue for whatever you wish to give, and fortune sticks (siam si) if you want to try your luck.

There is also a sacred well in the temple. On the way to it you pass a white Buddha image adorned in gold, with Phra Siwali and Phra Sangkachai in glass cases in front, so we stopped to ask for a bit of luck with money. The area around the well is very peaceful; if you like quiet places, we recommend this temple.

Luang Pho Kuay's amulets

Among his disciples and devotees, the sacred objects made and blessed by Luang Pho Kuay are known for their strong spiritual power, with many stories of miraculous experiences, and they command high prices among amulet collectors. Popular pieces include the Somdet Prok Pho Kao Bai, the Somdet with his portrait on the back, the Phra Waek Man, the first-batch stamped portrait image and the first-batch coin with the Buddha's crown yantra. All are highly sought after by people who keep them for blessings.

Temple history

The temple covers about 35 rai and lies about 15 km south of the Sankhaburi district office. It was founded a little over 100 years ago. Originally it was an abandoned temple in the forest with two monks' huts and a hip-roofed hall, all thatched. Five abbots served before Luang Pho Kuay. Luang Pho Kuay Chutinthoro was the sixth abbot and passed away on 12 April 1979, aged 74. The provincial ecclesiastical head then appointed Phra Samruai Pansorn (Akkapanyo) as the seventh abbot on 9 May 1979. He later left the monkhood before the 1993 Buddhist Lent, and Phra Achan Boonyang Thanawaro was appointed as the current abbot.

Visitor information

Location: Ban Khae subdistrict, Sankhaburi district, Chai Nat

Map: Google Maps

Opening hours: 08:00–17:00

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Author Meeting Point Management Team, MBA มหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์ MBA University of Technology Sydney (UTS) DBA มหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์ Editorial Team

The Meeting Point management team loves eating, travelling, temple visits and lifestyle. We pick the restaurants, cafes, stays, attractions and temples we have visited ourselves and write about them honestly.