Wat Thep Phithak Punnaram (White Buddha)
A large white seated Buddha ('Phra Khao', ~45 m tall) on a hilltop above Klang Dong, a well-known landmark on the road into Khao Yai.
- Category
- Temples (Wat)
- Entrance fee
- Free (donations welcome). Confirm on site.
- Hours
- Daily, roughly 06:00–18:00 as of 2026; confirm locally.
- Best time
- Cool, clear mornings Nov–Feb; go early to beat the heat on the exposed hilltop.
- Time needed
- 45–60 minutes.
- Difficulty
- Easy (steps up to the Buddha; road access near the top).
About Wat Thep Phithak Punnaram (White Buddha)
The big white seated Buddha on the hill above Klang Dong, known as Phra Khao, is a familiar landmark for anyone driving up toward Khao Yai. It's worth a quick stop for the hilltop view as much as the Buddha itself.
It's an active temple, so dress modestly and be respectful. The hilltop is exposed, so mornings are far kinder than the midday heat. Road access gets you near the top, with steps up to the Buddha.
It's not a large site, so treat it as one stop rather than a half-day. It slots in nicely with other things around Klang Dong.
Highlights
- Large white seated Buddha, Phra Khao
- Hilltop views over the Klang Dong area
- Easy road access with steps up to the top
- Free to visit, an active local temple
Tips
- Go early to beat the heat on the exposed hilltop.
- Dress modestly, it's a working temple.
- Keep it short, it's a quick stop not a half-day.
- Pair it with other Klang Dong stops on the way to the park.
How to get there
From Pak Chong town: ~13 km west along Mittraphap Rd (Hwy 2) toward Klang Dong, then up the hill; ~20–25 min by car/taxi. Songthaews run along Mittraphap Rd toward Klang Dong.