Wat Wang Wiwekaram (Wat Luang Pho Uttama)
The spiritual heart of the Mon community in Sangkhla Buri, with the golden Bodh Gaya-style Chedi Buddhakhaya and a revered temple founded by the late monk Luang Pho Uttama.
- Category
- Temples (Wat)
- Entrance fee
- Free (donations welcome). As of 2026, confirm locally.
- Hours
- Roughly 06:00-18:00 daily. As of 2026, confirm locally.
- Best time
- Cool season Nov-Feb; early morning for alms-giving and mist over the lake.
- Time needed
- 1-1.5 hours
About Wat Wang Wiwekaram (Wat Luang Pho Uttama)
The spiritual heart of the Mon community up in Sangkhla Buri, anchored by the golden Bodh Gaya-style Chedi Buddhakhaya and founded by the revered late monk Luang Pho Uttama. It's beautiful and culturally distinct, Mon rather than central-Thai, so it feels different from the temples closer to town.
The honest reality is the distance. This is a long haul from Kanchanaburi and really only makes sense as part of an overnight trip up to Sangkhla Buri, usually paired with the Mon Bridge. If you make that journey, it's worth it.
Come early morning for alms-giving and mist over the lake, and dress modestly as at any active temple.
Highlights
- Golden Bodh Gaya-style Chedi Buddhakhaya
- Spiritual centre of the Sangkhla Buri Mon community
- Founded by the revered late monk Luang Pho Uttama
- Distinct Mon culture, not central-Thai
- Early-morning alms-giving and mist over the lake
Tips
- Plan it as part of an overnight trip to Sangkhla Buri, it's a long way
- Come at dawn for alms-giving and mist over the lake
- Pair it with the nearby Mon Bridge
- Dress modestly, it's an active and revered temple
How to get there
About 215 km NW of Kanchanaburi in Sangkhla Buri; ~4.5-5.5 h by bus or car. Usually visited as an overnight trip combined with the Mon Bridge.