Wat Kaeo Phichit

Wat Kaeo Phichit sits on the west bank of the Bang Pakong River on Kaeo Phichit Road, in Prachin Buri town. Founded in 1879, it was the first Dhammayutika Nikaya temple built in the province, endowed by a local benefactress, the wife of Khun Pramunphakdi. Entry is free, daily 08:30-17:00.

The temple’s landmark is its ordination hall (ubosot), rebuilt in 1918 by Chao Phraya Abhaibhubejhr — better known locally as Chum Aphaiwong — after the original building fell into disrepair. Rather than a standard Thai design, he mixed styles: Roman columns support a domed roof, European frescoes sit above the doors, and Khmer-style bas-relief panels along the walls depict a battle scene from the Ramakien, Rama facing the demon king. It’s an unusual combination for a provincial Thai temple and the main reason architecture enthusiasts make the trip.

Insider Tip: Walk the full perimeter of the ordination hall rather than just stepping inside — the bas-relief carvings run along the exterior walls, and most visitors miss them entirely by heading straight through the front doors.

The Abhaiwongsa family treated Wat Kaeo Phichit as their family temple, and the connection runs deeper than the 1918 rebuild: the same family built the Chao Phya Abhaibhubejhr building nearby, originally a hospital and now a museum, and their name still marks landmarks across town. Inside the wihan, Buddha images in varying scale sit for daily prayer, and the temple functions as an active place of worship rather than a heritage site frozen in time — locals arrive throughout the day to make merit.

Watch out: Photography is generally fine around the grounds, but ask before photographing the interior murals up close or anyone at prayer — the temple is a working monastery, not a museum exhibit.

Cover your shoulders and knees before entering the ordination hall, and remove your shoes at the door. There’s no dress-code rental stand on site, unlike some of the busier Ayutthaya and Bangkok temples, so bring a scarf or spare shirt if you’re travelling light.