Wat Phra Baromathat

Wat Phra Baromathat is one of the oldest temples in the Kampaeng Phet area, and one of the few ancient monasteries that is still active. It probably dates from the mid-fourteenth century, when the old city of Nakorn Chum on the west bank of the Ping River was more important than Kampaeng Phet across the river. The pagoda (chedi) was probably originally similar to the one at nearby Wat Chedi Klang Thung, but it was restored and rebuilt in a very Burmese style late in the nineteenth century by a Burmese teak trader.

In the grounds of the temple, next to the golden pagoda, is a large traditional Thai-styled building that houses the Nakorn Chum Cultural Center. Inside the teak-wood building is chock full of display cabinets holding all kinds of things, from old iron axes to delicate ceramics. Almost none of it is labeled in Thai, and there are no signs at all in English, but it still may be worth a look.