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Buddhist Temples
Wat Sri Rong Muang, the Pa’O Temple
26
Jun
Jun
Wat Sri Rong Muang, the Pa'O temple
Table of Contents
Wat Sri Rong Muang: introduction
The Wat Sri Rong Muang is a Shan-style temple in Lampang. The design of the roofs is very much like that of Wat Nantaram, the Shan-style temple in Chiang Kham. Wat Nantaram is actually a Pa-O temple.
Kyaung daga Inta and Mae Kyaung Daga Kam On, a couple from Burma, donated the land on which Burmese carpenters and craftsmen constructed the temple. It took them seven years, from 1905 until 1912, to finish the building. Kyaung Daga Nanta Noi and other Pa-O merchants had made merit together to fund the construction of the temple.
Wat Nantaram in Chiang Kham
A Pa’O trader from Burma funded the construction of this spectacular temple in Chiang Kham, Phayao province. Maintenance of Wat Nantaram is a lot better than that of Wat Sri Rong Muang.
Involvement of the Pa-O people
A wood inscription in front of the pagoda states: “The Pagoda built in 1902 by Grandmother Kyaung Khong Pa–O”. This proves that there were Pa-O people involved in the construction of the temple. According to information at the temple, there were several structures on the temple compound.
The current temple is the only building left. Jong Taga Inta worked for the Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation, one of the British companies involved in the teak industry. In those days the Shan people and the Pa’O people were British subjects. At first, the name of the temple was Wat Ta Krao Noi Phama. Later on, they changed that to Wat Sri Rong Muang in honor of the couple who donated the land. In 1931 a man named Sang To Rattanakamole was the driving force behind a major restoration.
References for this article
Information at the temple on plaques and in the museum
Sarassawadee Ongsakul, History of Lanna, Chiang Mai, 2005
Michael Freeman, Lanna, Thailand’s Northern Kingdom, Bangkok, 2001
Hans Penth, A brief history of Lanna, Chiang Mai, 2000
Wikipedia
David K. Wyatt and Aroonrut Wichienkeeo, The Chiang Mai Chronicle, Chiang Mai, 1998
Some facts about the temple
The temple is on 65 Wang Khwa Road. You can get to the temple by horse cart. The temple is open from 0600 until 1800. There is a 20THB entrance fee per person.
Wat Rong Sri Muang features in these tours
Historical Tours
From: 7,600.00 ฿
Lampang Tours
From: 7,900.00 ฿
