Wat Phra Borommathat Temple

The most famed element of this temple, which stands on the west bank of the river, is a Sukhothai-style chedi housing important relics-but if you come expecting the crumbling laterite buildings of the historical park, you are in for a surprise.

The chedi has long since been built over in a Burmese style, and while it is an impressive size, this and the other temple buildings are in a modern style and somewhat run down, so it is hardly worth the effort of crossing the river to see.

This temple is a popular pilgrimage site for Thai Buddhists and is often crowded with visitors making offerings. Its main features are a chedi said to be a copy of the Shwedagon in Burma, and some intricately carved door and window panels on the ubosot depicting scenes from the life of the Buddha.

The chedi is quite impressive, though only 23 metres high; it is said to contain a frontal bone and four hairs of the Buddha. It is surrounded by 16 smaller chedi and 12 large mondop holding images of the Buddha, plus 6 small mondop in which candles are stored. The forest of spires created by these structures makes for a dramatic sight, and a carpet surrounds the chedi for devotees to walk barefoot around it.

Though interesting both for its architecture and for the crowds who come to make offerings, the temple is a bit tricky to find, being a few kilometres outside Ban Tak. It is really only worthwhile making your way here if you also plan to visit the nearby Bhumibol Dam.