Wat Phan Tao, Buddhist temple in Phra Sing, Thailand
Wat Phan Tao is a temple in Chiang Mai featuring a spacious prayer hall supported by 28 teak pillars with dark wooden panels covering the interior walls and ceiling. The wooden structure creates an intimate and sheltered atmosphere inside.
The building was originally constructed as a royal throne hall in 1846 and transformed into a temple in 1876 using repurposed teak panels. This transformation marked the shift from secular to sacred use.
The entrance displays peacock and dog motifs representing the astrological birth year of a former royal resident who once lived here. These symbols reflect the special connection between the place and its distinguished past as a royal dwelling.
The temple sits on Phra Pokklao Road in Chiang Mai's old city and is open to visitors. Wear appropriate clothing out of respect for the sacred space.
The monastery houses one of the few remaining all-wooden structures in Chiang Mai, built entirely from teak panels set upon a stone foundation. This rare construction method makes it a noteworthy example of traditional craftsmanship.
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