Thailand For Visitors

Wat Phra In Plaeng

Gate
The elaborate eastern gate of Wat Phra In Plaeng, facing the river.

Phra In Plaeng is the southern-most of the string of temples that line the Mekong in Nakhon Phanom. The gate to the temple facing the river is quite elaborate, with framed Buddha images looking like super-sized amulets. The temple houses a revered Buddha image - 'Phra In Plaeng' - believed to be over 1,000 years old.

Guardian 'birds'
Some guardian 'bird' statues at Wat Phra In Plaeng

It's worth having a look inside the temple to view the guardian statues around the main chapel. The low wall surrounding the chapel has pairs of creatures from the Hindu cosmology that Buddhism inherited. The beasts are quite fanciful and colorfully painted with metallic colors.