Wat Pa Phu Kon

Wat Pa Phu Kon is probably the most stunning temple in Isan, the Northeastern region of Thailand, and certainly the most striking with its unusual turquoise green roof. This is not unique as you can find other temples in Thailand with the same colour on roof, but it is the only one that you can find in the Isan region. Discreetly tucked away in a hilly woodland, the temple is located in a very remote part of Tambon Ban Kong inside the Na Yung District in the northwestern part of the province of Udon Thani, not far from the borders with Loei and Nong Khai provinces, about 120 km from Udon Thani City. The temple was built between 2010 and 2013 as a monastery for forestry preservation by the Buddhist monk Puttaborrisatsee to remind the benefit of nature after the Na Yung and Num Chom forests were destroyed in 1984. Wat Pa Phu Kon is surrounded by nearly 400 acres of lush forest, and, therefore, is a peaceful place suitable for the practice of Buddhist meditation. The entrance to the temple complex is guarded by two Chinese-style temple guardians made of Carrara marble. The ground of temple is mostly occupied by a main central Wihan, which is surrounded by several smaller buildings, where rooms for the monks, souvenir shops and restaurants are housed. In a fully basement level there are the rooms opened to pilgrimages, for both monks and pilgrims, where they can sleep and eat. Within the temple complex there is also a school, a hospital and facilities for endangered wild animals. Wat Pa Phu Kon's main attraction is inside the Wihan of temple, where the largest statue of Buddha made of white marble in whole Thailand lies. For the construction of this giant Reclining Buddha, which is about 20 meters long, the responsible monks have selected 43 blocks of white marble from the site of Carrara in Italy, each weighing between 15 and 30 tons, then transported to Thailand where they were assembled and sculptured. After the statue was completed, the walls of Wihan were erected around it, and were decorated with paintings showing the history of the ten incarnations of Buddha. The construction of the statue alone cost 50 million baht, the total costs for the construction of the temple is about 320 million baht. Near to the temple complex, on a hill halfway between the valley and the mountainous landscape, there is a 25-meter high golden stupa, named Prathom Rattana Mahaburaphachan Chedi, where it is believed holy Buddhist relics are enshrined. Located on a terrace, the chedi is accessible from a parking with a steep broad staircase of about 200 steps. It was built in Lanka-style and decorated with golden mosaics, inspired by the architectural style and color scheme of the Phra Pathom Chedi in Nakhon Pathom. Inside the chedi there are rooms on two floors. Both rooms are covered by dome-shaped ceilings richly decorated in gold on a red background in honor of some formerly influential deceased monks.
Admission fee & Opening hours: The temple complex is open daily from 06.30 to 18.00. Admission is free.
Getting there: Wat Pa Phu Kon is located in a very remote part of Tambon Ban Kong in the Na Yung District, about 120 km north-west of Udon Thani city. The easy way to reach the temple from Bangkok is to take a first class air-conditioned bus from the Northern Bus Terminal until Na Yung District. The buses leave in the late evening, normaly at 19.00 and 20.30; the ticket will cost about 600-700 THB and journey can take approximately 11.30 hours. The Na Yung bus station is just 8 km away from temple, and easy reachable with a shared song-taew or the minivans normally used by the pilgrims. In alternative, to reach Udon Thani you can use plane, bus, train or private car. Currently Thai Airways International, Nok Air and Thai AirAsia operate flights from this airport, with links to Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang Airport in Bangkok and others major airports in Thailand. Busses to Udon Thani from Bangkok leave from the Northern Mo Chit Terminal, with departures every 20 minutes, the trip takes about 8 hours and the ticket costs from 450 to 600 THB, depending on the class. Trains to Udon Thani from Bangkok depart from the Hua Lamphong Station, are less frequent of buses, four per day, employing more time, and the cost is similar in 2nd seat class, more expensive for classes with bunks for sleeping. To reach the temple from Udon Thani you can rent a car, around THB 1,000 for the entire day, or use a taxi or the local buses.
Path Bangkok - Udon Thani - Wat Pa Phu Kon: To reach Udon Thani by car from Bangkok follow the Highway 1 until Saraburi, about 98 Km; at Saraburi turn right on Highway 2, Thanon Mittraphap, that leading direct to Udon Thani, passing from Nakhon Ratchasima and Khon Kaen. The distance from Bangkok is about 560 Km and journey can take approximately 8 hours. From Udon Thani, take Highway 2 northbound towards Nong Khai, then turn left on to route 2021 before you reach Na Kha village. Stay on this road turning right at the junction in Ban Phue on to route 2348. Several kilometers further on, you will see the temple signposts, simply follow them as there is no alternative route. The distance from Udon Thani is roughly 120 km and the journey can take up to two hours, depending on road and traffic conditions.Read More