Wat Phan Tao, Buddhist temple in Phra Sing, Thailand
Wat Phan Tao is a registered historic site and Buddhist temple in the Phra Sing district of Chiang Mai, Thailand. The main building is a large teak prayer hall resting on wooden pillars, with dark wooden panels covering the interior walls and ceiling throughout.
The building was first constructed in the 19th century as a royal throne hall and used as a secular residence. Toward the end of that same century it was converted into a Buddhist temple, with the original teak panels reused in the process.
The entrance gate displays peacock and dog motifs that refer to the birth year of a former royal resident, following the traditional Thai zodiac. These carvings are easy to spot and give the place a personal link to its past as a royal dwelling.
The temple is on Phra Pokklao Road in Chiang Mai's old city and easy to reach on foot from most nearby sights. Visitors should cover shoulders and knees, as is standard when entering Buddhist temples in Thailand.
The prayer hall sits on a low stone foundation from which the teak pillars rise directly, which is an unusual construction detail for a temple of this type. This mix of stone base and wooden frame is a rare example of northern Thai building technique.
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