Wat Muang, Ang Thong: Paying Respects to the Giant Luang Pho Yai Buddha
Looking for a temple trip close to Bangkok? Head to Wat Muang in Ang Thong to pay respects to Luang Pho Yai, a towering 95-meter golden Buddha rising out of the rice fields.
Meeting Point Management Team
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Quick answer
Wat Muang is in Moo 6, Wiset Chai Chan district, Ang Thong, about 8 km from the town center. Its highlight is Luang Pho Yai (Phra Phuttha Maha Nawamin Sakayamuni Si Wiset Chai Chan), a golden Buddha in the subduing Mara pose, 63 meters across the lap and 95 meters tall, completed in 2007. Open 06:00 to 18:00.
Key takeaways
- Luang Pho Yai: subduing Mara pose, 63 m lap width, 95 m tall, gilded all over
- Completed 16 February 2007 after about 16 years, costing over 100 million baht
- Tradition: touch the Buddha's middle fingertip with both hands and wish for career success
- Heaven and hell garden with figures from Thai literature, great for kids
- Open 06:00 to 18:00, about 8 km from Ang Thong town
Contents
Let's go make merit! Today Meeting Point is taking you to pray at Wat Muang in Ang Thong, which isn't far from Bangkok. You won't be disappointed, because you get to pay respects to an enormous Buddha image, billed as the largest in the world, and every bit as beautiful as anywhere else.
Have you ever heard that one of the biggest Buddha images in the world is in Thailand, and not far from Bangkok? Today Meeting Point is taking you to pay respects to Luang Pho Yai, also known as Phra Phuttha Maha Nawamin Sakayamuni Si Wiset Chai Chan, enshrined at Wat Muang in Ang Thong.
The History of Wat Muang
Wat Muang was originally an abandoned temple built in the late Ayutthaya period. When Ayutthaya fell, the Burmese burned and destroyed much of it, leaving only ruins. Later, Phra Khru Wibun Achankhun (Luang Pho Kasem Achansupho) came here on a wandering pilgrimage and saw it as a fitting place to practice Dhamma. While meditating, he had a vision of Luang Pu Khao and Luang Pu Daeng asking him to help restore the temple, and from then on he gradually began rebuilding it.
Luang Pho Yai: The Giant Buddha
Luang Pho Yai, or Phra Phuttha Maha Nawamin Sakayamuni Si Wiset Chai Chan, is a Buddha image in the subduing Mara pose, 63 meters across the lap and 95 meters tall. It was built from layers of reinforced concrete beams, structured like a 32-story building, then bricked, plastered and painted gold all over.
Luang Pho Kasem built the Buddha as an offering to King Rama IX. His disciples joined forces with faithful members of the public to build it, and construction was completed on 16 February 2007, after roughly 16 years and more than 100 million baht.
How to Make a Wish
Legend has it that touching the fingertips of the Big Buddha brings blessings for growth and success in your career. To make a wish, touch the tip of the Buddha's middle finger with both hands, sincerely ask for something good, and commit to doing good deeds as you intended. It's believed you'll then find success and good fortune, just as you hoped.
Other Highlights at the Temple
The temple also has a heaven and hell garden, with figures of characters from many Thai literary works displayed in a shady garden. Signs share various moral teachings, so it's a great place to bring children and teach them to avoid wrongdoing and do good.
A smaller replica of the Buddha sits at the base so people can light incense and candles. In front, a tall staircase leads up to Luang Pho Yai, with Naga serpents forming the handrails down the middle and on both sides.
Getting There
Wat Muang is in Moo 6, Wiset Chai Chan district, Ang Thong, about 8 kilometers west of Ang Thong town. From Bangkok, take the Asian Highway into Ang Thong town, go past the market and turn right, pass in front of the prison, then turn left at the junction (toward Suphan Buri) and follow the Pho Phraya to Tha Ruea road. Wat Muang is on the left. You can't miss it: look for the giant Buddha in the middle of the open fields.
Wat Muang: Visitor Info
- Location: Wat Muang, Moo 6, Hua Taphan subdistrict, Wiset Chai Chan district, Ang Thong
- Map: https://goo.gl/maps/Tu664GcsYDyCrTf98
- Hours: 06:00 to 18:00
- Phone: 035 631 556, 035 631 974
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WatmuangAngthong
FAQ
Where is Wat Muang and how do I get there?
It is in Moo 6, Wiset Chai Chan district, Ang Thong, about 8 km west of town. From Bangkok, take the Asian Highway into Ang Thong, pass the market and turn right, pass the prison, turn left toward Suphan Buri and follow the Pho Phraya to Tha Ruea road. The temple is on the left; you will see the giant Buddha in the fields.
How big is Luang Pho Yai?
The Buddha is 63 meters across the lap and 95 meters tall, built from reinforced concrete like a 32-story building and painted gold all over.
How do people make a wish at Luang Pho Yai?
By tradition, you touch the tip of the Buddha's middle finger with both hands and make a sincere wish, especially for progress in your career.
What are Wat Muang's opening hours?
06:00 to 18:00. Phone: 035 631 556 or 035 631 974.
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.
