Wat Nakorntum

Wat Nakorntum’s main draw is Luang Pho Khao, a seated meditation Buddha cast in white plaster, standing 199 cm tall with a 130.9 cm lap width and estimated at over 100 years old. Locals in Sa Kaeo also call the image Luang Pho Poon — “Father Plaster.” The temple sits in Watthana Nakhon town, about 900 metres from the bus station and roughly 1 km off Highway 3395.

The temple was originally called Wat Sara Lop, after a rectangular ancient pond found on the site when Lao settlers established it. It was later renamed Wat Nakorntum to honour Phra Khru Wiwatthana Nakhon Tham, a former abbot. Temple accounts describe an unusual event when monks moved Luang Pho Khao here from Wat Rang Ban Chik in 1925: witnesses say tears ran from the image’s eyes as rain fell at the same moment — a story still told to visitors today.

Beyond the plaster Buddha, the temple holds a second notable object: a Buddha relic carried from Wat Pamadulla Rajamahavihara in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka, in 1992. It stays out of public view most of the year, but each Chinese New Year the temple brings it out for nine days of public veneration, drawing a steady stream of visitors from across the province.

Day to day, Wat Nakorntum functions as an ordinary neighbourhood temple — resident monks going about routine duties, local families dropping in to make merit, no crowds and no admission gate. The viharn holding Luang Pho Khao keeps to set hours; the rest of the grounds are open longer.

Insider Tip: Time a visit around Chinese New Year if you want to see the Sri Lankan relic on public display — it’s out for nine days only, and the rest of the year it’s kept in storage.

Watch out: The 06:00-19:00 hours apply to the viharn housing Luang Pho Khao specifically. Arrive within that window if seeing the main Buddha image is the point of the stop.

Dress modestly — covered shoulders and knees — and remove shoes before entering the viharn. A small donation toward temple upkeep is appreciated but not required.