Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan in Chachoengsao

The Wat Sothonwararam is a temple in the Chachoengsao province of Thailand. Located in Mueang Chachoengsao township on the Bang Pakong River. Its initial name was 'Wat Hong', and it was built in the late Ayutthaya period.

According to legend, this Buddha statue, the Luangpho Phuttha Darrick, is the most worshiped statue in Thailand. The statue is 1,98 meters high and has a diameter of 1,65 meters. It sits in a meditative pose. Legend has it that three Buddha statues floated by in the river. However, the medium-sized statue got stuck at this spot at Chachoengsao. The people tried to get the statue out of the water, but they didn't succeed. Only when they built a shrine on this spot did this statue remain on this spot, even during the later construction of the great Wat. This bronze statue is said to have a certain magical power, where people could go with their questions and wishes. There would be some peace.

Originally, father Phutthasothon lived at this place in a small old temple with 18 other Buddha statues until King Bhumibol Adulyadej came to visit this temple in 1966. King Bhumibol was impressed by this sacred place and dedicated the temple to Princess Maha Hanne Sirindhorn who became patron of this Wat. The dedication ceremony was held in 1988. The remarkable thing was that Lord Buddha and all 18 Buddha statues were not moved during construction and decoration thanks to modern construction techniques.

Many people from all over Thailand come here to pray for blessings. It can therefore be particularly busy during holidays, vacations and weekends. When the wish is fulfilled, the people come back and offer the temple a large basket of boiled eggs, which can be bought on the spot. The interior space therefore looks more like an old marketplace than a Wat, where everything can be bought. Everything is for sale and the beautiful building on the outside shows that no expense has been spared. The covered promenade, which will certainly get a destination, is also beautifully situated along the Bang Pakong river. The footpath is beautifully tiled with almost Arabic motifs. The buildings are all, although not finished, well maintained on a large site, in contrast to the dark and busy inner space.

Visiting address: 134 Thep Khunakon Rd. , Tambon Na Muang, Chang Wat Chachoengsao 24000

– Relocated in memory of Lodewijk Lagemaat † February 24, 2021 –