Wat Phra That Pha Son Kaeo

Wat Phra That Pha Son Kaeo is a Buddhist temple in Khao Kho, Phetchabun Province, set on a forested ridgeline and decorated with colorful glass mosaic statues. Visitors walk through open courtyards where five monumental Buddha figures stand in rows, while several prayer halls and smaller shrines spread across the grounds.

Construction began in 2004 after locals reported glowing orbs disappearing into mountain caves, which local Buddhists interpreted as signs of sacred presence. The large statues and buildings were raised over the following years and covered with glass mosaics made possible by donations from believers.

The name links devotion to location, referring to sacred relics and the mountain where the complex stands. Visitors often see believers placing flowers and incense sticks before the large glass-covered Buddha statues while praying or meditating quietly.

Shoulders and knees should be covered when entering, as this is customary at active religious sites. The grounds open at sunrise and close at sunset, giving enough time to experience the statues and views in different light.

The main hall houses a jade Buddha with embedded relics, surrounded by glass walls that frame views of forested valleys and distant mountain ranges. Visitors notice that the colors of the mosaics shift with the time of day as sunlight breaks through the glass and brings out new shades.