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The Murals of Wat Pho Chai, Nong Khai, Thailand

1,449 views · Published 21 May 2013 · 8:07 · Indexed 14 November 2026

Channel: Nigel Fowler Sutton · 2013 · Travel & Events

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Quite possibly the most beautiful temple in Thailand, Wat Pho Chai in Nong Khai presents an impressive array of murals. These not only depict the life of the Buddha, similar to many temples in this part of the world, but the scenes from every day life and the festivals in and around Nong Khai are of special note. Several artists were responsible for the murals, each showing their own particular style. 

Wat Pho Chai is arguably the most important of Nong Khai's temples as it houses the Luangpho Phra Sai, a sacred image of the Buddha which is highly revered by the people of Nong Khai.

The Luangpho Phra Sai, cast from yellow gold in the posture of Subduing Mara, is centuries old dating back to the ancient Lan Chang Empire. The legend goes that the three daughters of the King of Lan Chang commissioned three such images of the Buddha were given names corresponding to the names of the three daughters, Phra Soem, Phra Suk and Phra Sai.

The three images, originally housed in Vientiane, were brought to Nong Khai over 200 years ago, during the reign of King Rama III. However Phra Suk fell in to the river during a violent storm whilst in transit to Nong Khai by boat on the Mekong. The two surviving images were placed in Wat Pho Chai and Wat Ho Klong. Later, during the Reign of King Rama IV, Phra Soem was taken to Bangkok, leaving Phra Sai at Wat Pho Chai.

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