Wat Thong Laplae

Wat Thong Laplae sits in Fai Luang subdistrict, in Uttaradit’s Laplae district — not Sukhothai, despite some older guides lumping the two together; Laplae is roughly 80 km northeast of Sukhothai town and a district in its own right, known locally for durian orchards rather than historical ruins. Entry is free and the grounds are open daylight hours.

Records don’t pin down a founding date, but the temple was originally known as Wat Lab Laeng — “laeng” being a local dialect word for evening or dusk — before the current name took hold. A major restoration, including a new ordination hall, is documented from 1877, and that Ceylon-style (Lanka) chedi still holds Buddhist relics on the grounds today. The temple functions as an active village site for Uttaradit’s Laplae community: monks collect alms in the morning, and locals stop by to make merit before the day’s heat sets in.

What draws outside visitors, beyond the temple’s own history, is a phenomenon first reported in mid-2011 — an inverted shadow image that appears on an interior wall of the ubosot under particular light conditions, similar in principle to a pinhole-camera effect. Local media coverage at the time drew a wave of curious visitors, and it’s still the detail most people ask about when they arrive. It isn’t something the temple can guarantee on any given visit; light angle and time of day matter.

Insider Tip: Ask a temple attendant or nearby local when the light conditions are right for the inverted-image effect — it depends on the sun’s position and isn’t visible all day, so a wasted trip is common if you just show up at random.

Watch out: This is a working temple with no tourist infrastructure — no ticket booth, no gift shop, and limited English signage. Bring small bills for the donation box and don’t expect a guided experience.

Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, and remove your shoes before entering the ubosot. Laplae district is best known for its durian, and a stop at Mon Lub Lae or the Laplae Museum pairs naturally with a temple visit here — all three sit within the same district, a short drive from each other.