Wat Chai Mongkon

Wat Chai Mongkol is located on ThanonSanambin, TambonHuaWiang, opposite to WatPafang. It can be called WatJongka. One of the most remarkable structures is Vihanr Pen, of which the structure is all white, the wooden roof is in Burmese style, the tympanum portrays angels, the pillars are lavishly decorated with golden metal wire with intertwined sprays, the stained glass is marvelous and the upholstery as well as the wooden balcony is delicately fabricated. The structure installs an unrivalled bronze Buddha’s image from Myanmar.The arch of the temple is counted as a marker of the heart of Lampang Province. It is located at the intersection from ThanonPaholyothin. If tourists are at the intersection, they can turn left into ThanonSanambin. The white wall of the temple is not too high to see through the inside of the temple.Another significant ancient structure of the temple is a large vihanr in Burmese style. On the other side is a vihanr in Thai style presumably built in later era.According to the abbess, in the olden days, monks rarely stay in the Buddhist Lent. It is only he who took care of this vihanr which has been declared as a registered ancient structure. However, the descendants of the founder of this temple have helped restore the temple once a year. It isn’t in good condition. However, nowadays, the Burmese have held a strong faith in Buddhism. Whoever builds a temple will be in history and photographed. Accordingly, descendants help take care of the temple at their best. According to the history of the temple, the upholstery is partly made of beautifully-carved wood. It is used for keeping one room apart another. When arriving at the second floor, tourists can clearly see the reception room which a see-through door separates from another room which installs the principal Buddha’s image of the vihanr. Only authorized persons can go inside as the abbess is the only one who supervises the temple. The principal Buddha’s image subduing Mara in Burmese style is installed on a tall base. The beatific stained glass is in front of the statue. The ceilings are painted in different colors, depicting meanings such as the Sun and the Moon. Other two animals which are usually painted by the Burmese are rabbits and peacocks. Each pillar is elegantly decorated with intertwined sprays. Each top is decorated with devas surrounding the pillars. Each deva has no head as once Thailand was defeated in a war with Burma and the latter destroyed the temple and stole heads of the devas. According to the abbess, there’s no evident reason but the Burma’s soldiers’ motive might have been their belief.