Wat Phra Singh, situated on Tha Phae Road near the Provincial Hall, originally housed the revered Phra Phuttha Sihing Buddha image, now enshrined at Wihan Lai Kham, Wat Phra Singh, in Chiang Mai. Legend has it that Chao Maha Phrom, younger brother of King Kue Na, ruler of Chiang Mai, brought the Phra Phuttha Sihing Buddha image from Kamphaeng Phet and commissioned its establishment in Chiang Mai. Phrachao Maha Phrom asked to borrow Phra Phuttha Sihing to be enshrined in Chiang Rai to cast replicas. Upon King Kue Na’s passing, King Saen Mueang Ratchanadda ascended the throne in Chiang Mai, Chao Maha Phrom sought to claim Chiang Mai’s throne and this led to a confrontation. King Saen Mueang Ratchanadda was able to protect the city during which Phra Phuttha Sihing Buddha image was returned to Chiang Mai. The esteemed Wat Phra Singh also boasts replica of the Buddha’s footprint on a stone slab, believed to have been crafted during King Mengrai the Great’s reign. The temple’s door panels, designed by Thawan Duchani, a National Artist in Visual Arts (Painting), depict elemental themes of earth, water, wind, and fire, and were sculpted by Sala Amnui Bua-ngam. Within the temple grounds, visitors can admire the Phra Singh replica, a Lanna-style Buddha image in the attitude of Subduing Mara from the 21st Buddhist century. Commissioned by Chao Maha Phrom, ruler of Chiang Rai (younger brother of King Kue Na, ruler of Chiang Mai), this solid gold statue measures 37 centimetres in lap width and 66 centimetres high. Chao Maha Phrom borrowed the original Phra Phuttha Sihing Buddha image from Chiang Mai to serve as a model for the replica, enshrining it within the Phra Singh Hall. Open daily 06.00-18.30 hrs. For further details contact, Tel. (66) 5371 1735 and (66) 5374 4523
