Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat
Temple Major historic temple housing revered Buddha statue
Phitsanulok’s Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat houses the famed Phra Buddha Chinnarat image; pilgrims and history‑minded visitors come for gilded Buddhas, classic murals and regular ceremonies.
Overview - Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat is the principal temple of Phitsanulok province in central Thailand, best known for housing the Phra Buddha Chinnarat image dating to the 14th century.
What visitors find - The site’s focal point is the ubosot, which contains the gilded Phra Buddha Chinnarat image and draws local pilgrimage and national attention. The adjoining chedi and temple grounds are used for major Buddhist ceremonies and provide views across the city area.
History - The temple complex dates to the Sukhothai and early Ayutthaya periods and has served as a major religious center in Phitsanulok for centuries, with repeated restorations to preserve its principal structures and the Chinnarat image.
Location - Situated in central Phitsanulok city near the Nan River, the temple is easily reachable from the city centre and acts as a prominent urban landmark.
- Phra Buddha Chinnarat: Contains the Phra Buddha Chinnarat, a 14th-century image considered one of Thailand's most revered and influential Buddha icons.
What to See #
- Ubosot (ordination hall): The ubosot (ordination hall) that houses the Phra Buddha Chinnarat, the temple's principal and most venerated Buddha image.
- Chedi and grounds: The central chedi and surrounding temple grounds that form the main ceremonial complex in Phitsanulok's city centre.
How to Get to Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat #
Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat (Phitsanulok) is located in central Phitsanulok city. It’s a short tuk‑tuk or taxi ride from the Phitsanulok train station and main bus terminal (typically 5-15 minutes); many visitors walk from the city centre (about 10-20 minutes depending on your starting point). Local songthaews and metered taxis serve the temple area.
Tips for Visiting Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat #
- Arrive early (first light) to visit the main ubosot and see the famous Phra Phuttha Chinnarat image with fewer pilgrims and better light for photography.
- Make the main shrine housing the image your first stop to avoid later queues, then work around the cloister where murals and smaller shrines are often overlooked.
- Visit on a weekday morning when possible - the temple is an active pilgrimage site and weekends and festival days are noticeably busier.
Best Time to Visit Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat #
For comfortable weather and clearer conditions at the historic site, visit during the cool, dry season (November-February).
Weather & Climate near Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat #
Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with very hot summers (peaking in April) and warm winters (coldest in December). Temperatures range from 18°C to 37°C. Abundant rainfall (1249 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 18°C. The driest month with just 5 mm and mostly sunny skies.
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February
February is warm, feeling like 27°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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March
March is hot, feeling like 30°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm).
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April
April is the hottest month, feeling like 33°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm).
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May
May is hot, feeling like 35°C. Significant rainfall (174 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is hot, feeling like 35°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (164 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is hot, feeling like 34°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (171 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is hot, feeling like 34°C with oppressive humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (229 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is hot, feeling like 34°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (224 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is hot, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (136 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 21°C. Light rainfall.
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December
December is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 18°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
