Wat Phai Lom

Wat Phai Lom is a community temple (“wat rasadorn”) in Phai Lom subdistrict, Laplae district, Uttaradit Province — not the well-known open-billed stork sanctuary of the same name in Pathum Thani, nor a temple in Nakhon Pathom. Local records date its founding to 1476. Five monks currently reside here under the temple’s abbot, and it functions as an ordinary village wat rather than a tourist attraction.

The temple is best known locally for Luang Pho Petch, a Buddha image found here and regarded by people across Laplae district and Uttaradit Province more broadly as a protective figure — visitors come to pay respects rather than to see the building itself. The main ubosot (ordination hall) holds Luang Pho Toh, a Sukhothai-style Buddha image, as its principal figure. The grounds also hold a statue of Phraya Phichai Dab Hak, the Ayutthaya-period warrior associated with Uttaradit province, remembered for continuing to fight after his sword snapped in battle — a detail tied specifically to this province’s history rather than a generic temple figure. The Phraya Phichai Dap Hak Memorial in Uttaradit town covers the same historical figure in more depth.

Entry is free, as at almost every Thai village temple, and there’s no ticket booth or set opening hours to plan around beyond typical daylight visiting.

Insider Tip: This is a genuinely local temple with limited English signage — if you want more than a quiet walk around the grounds, a Thai-speaking guide or driver who can ask about Luang Pho Petch’s history will get you more out of the visit.

Watch out: Don’t confuse this with the famous stork-sanctuary “Wat Phai Lom” that comes up first in most searches — that one is roughly 500 km south in Pathum Thani province and has nothing to do with this Uttaradit temple beyond sharing a name.

Wat Phai Lom is at 59 Ban Tha It Lang, Uttaradit — view on Google Maps. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered), remove your shoes before entering any building, and keep your head below any Buddha image when seated.