Wat To Phae

Wat To Phae sits in Ban To Phae, Mae Ngao subdistrict, Khun Yuam district — a temple built in the Tai Yai (Shan) and Burmese tradition rather than the Lanna style found through much of northern Thailand. A Tai Yai monk who arrived from Burma founded the current temple in 1918. Entry is free, and the grounds are open daily from 08:00 to 17:00.

Experience

The centrepiece is a golden teak viharn with a steep, multi-tiered roof — locally compared to the roofline at Wat Phra That Lampang Luang — set on round pillars beneath an ornately painted ceiling. The chedi mixes styles too: an octagonal base in white and gold, guarded by four corner lions, topped with a seven-tiered metal umbrella hung with bells. Inside, Buddha images in both Burmese and Tai Yai styles sit alongside an ancient dharma stone and a scripture curtain depicting the Jataka tales, reportedly more than 150 years old.

The temple’s most unusual chapter dates to the Second World War, when Japanese forces used the grounds as a waystation during the Burma campaign — a small building on site reportedly served as a makeshift currency-printing operation, and the grounds doubled as a field hospital and burial ground. A memorial near the entrance marks this history today.

The site itself predates the 1918 restoration: local accounts describe the original structure as belonging to the Lawa (Lua) people, abandoned for years before villagers from three communities rebuilt it as a shared effort — a history reflected in the name To Phae, from the bamboo rafts once lashed together nearby.

Insider Tip: Look for the WWII memorial near the entrance before heading into the viharn — it’s easy to walk straight past without knowing the grounds’ wartime history.

Atmosphere & Timing

Ban To Phae sits on the right bank of the Yuam River, about 7km from Khun Yuam’s market via a paved turn-off from Highway 108 — quiet enough that most visitors are locals making merit rather than day-trippers. Morning light suits the golden teak viharn best for photos.

Watch out: The viharn and chedi are active religious structures, not a museum display — cover shoulders and knees, and remove shoes before entering.

Practical

Wat To Phae is one stop among several in Khun Yuam district — Mueang Pon Village and Namtok Mae Surin National Park are both within the same district if you’re spending a day around Khun Yuam. The temple is part of Mae Hong Son province’s wider Buddhist heritage.