Wat Phra Fang

Wat Phra Fang or Wat Phra Fang Sawangkaburi Muninat is located in Ban Fang, Mu 3, Phajuk sub-district, Amphoe Mueang district, Uttaradit province. This ancient temple was built in Sukhothai period (B.E. 1700, before King Ramkhamhaeng Maharat, according to the temple’s record.) It is the only archaeological site left from all archaeological sites of Mueang Fang Sawangkaburi. It was granted consecrated boundaries in Sukhothai period and was the temple of Mueang Sawangkaburi (Mueang means town) which was developed since Sukhothai period. Chao Phra Fang, the leader of Mueang Sawangkaburi also stayed here when he was monk.The main feature of the temple is Phra Mahathat Chedi where Buddha relics are inside. The Chedi is in the center of Wat Phra Fang archaeological sites. The chedi is believed to be built in Sukhothai period as the record of Simon de La Loubere, a French diplomat in Ayutthaya era, said that the chedi and Buddha’s footprint at Saraburi province were highly respected by the local people. King TaksinMaharat held a celebration for PhraMaharat for 3 days which was the same period of the ceremony of PhraPhutthaChinnarat after he won the war against Phra Chao Fang. However, the faith in Phra That Mueang Fang decreased as Mueang Sawangkaburi continued declining after Phra Chao Fang, the leader lost the war. In the beginning of Rattanakosin era, the chedi had deteriorated a lot, therefore, the King Rama 4 renovated it and converted it into Langka style chedi as seen today. In addition, Wat Phra Fang also features UbosotMaha-Ut (the ubosot has only one entrance.) which is on the west of archaeological sites. This ubosot is Ayutthaya style and was once the place where the Phra Fang Buddha image was enshrined. Today, the ubosot still has a wooden door from Ayutthaya era with a beautifully carved pediment (the actual door and pediment are the replica one.) On the east of archaeological sites is the royal vihara where the Chiang Saen Buddha image was once established. Today, the carved wooden door is maintained inside the royal vihara (the actual door is replica which was built in 2008 to replace the real one which is now kept in Wat Thammathippatai since 1951) Nowadays, Wat Phra Fang is registered as archaeological site on the area of about 32 Rai.