250px, Luang Pho Phet Wat Tha Luang () is a Thai Buddhist temple in Tambon Nai Mueang, Amphoe Mueang Phichit,

Phichit Province Phichit (, , ) is one of Thailand's seventy-six provinces (''changwat'') lies in lower northern Thailand and 330 km due north of Bangkok. Neighbouring provinces are (from north clockwise) Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, and Kampha ...

, upper

central Thailand Central Thailand (Central Plain) (historically also known as Siam or Dvaravati) is one of the regions of Thailand, covering the broad alluvial plain of the Chao Phraya River. It is separated from northeast Thailand (Isan) by the Phetchabun Mount ...

. Regarded as the most famous temple in the province and also considered as provincial temple. The temple sits on the

Nan River The Nan River (, , ; , ) is a river in Thailand. It is one of the most important tributaries of the Chao Phraya River. Geography The Nan River originates in the Luang Prabang Range, Nan Province. The provinces along the river after Nan Prov ...

's west bank close to the Provincial Hall.

Description

This temple is believed to have been constructed in 1845 during the reign of King

Nangklao Nangklao (born Thap; 31 March 1788 – 2 April 1851), also known by his regnal name Rama III, was the third Monarchy of Thailand, king of Siam from the Chakri dynasty, ruling from 21 July 1824 to 2 April 1851. Nangklao was the eldest surviving ...

(Rama III). Its name comes from the former ''

tambon ''Tambon'' (, ) is a local governmental unit in Thailand. Below district (''amphoe'') and province ('' changwat''), they form the third administrative subdivision level. there were 7,255 tambons, not including the 180 ''khwaeng'' of Bangkok, whi ...

'' (sub-district) name that is the location. Wat Tha Luang was also known as Wat Ratchadittharam (วัดราชดิตถาราม) but this name is not as popular or known as it should be. The temple was promoted to third-class royal monastery in 1986. The principal Buddha statue namely Luang Pho Phet (หลวงพ่อเพชร), a Chiang Saen style Buddha statue that is widely respected and worshipped by Phichit people and the general public. At present, Luang Pho Phet is enshrined in the main hall, which is open to worship daily from 06.30 am–06.00 pm. 250px, left, Phase of Nan River beside Wat Tha Luang In addition, the Nan River flows through the temple, making it the venue where the annual King’s Cup long boat races take place around the early September. The racing has been held for a long time until it became a well-known local traditional, by starting up in the year 1907.

References

External links

* {{Official website, 1=https://www.facebook.com/WatThaLuangPhichit/ Buddhist temples in Phichit province Tourist attractions in Phichit province