Where Faith Meets the Countryside
A One-Day Cultural Journey through Uthai Thani, Chainat & Sing Buri
Some journeys are not about rushing from place to place, but about slowing down and reconnecting with history, faith, and the quiet beauty of local Thailand.
This one-day road trip took us across three provinces, Uthai Thani, Chainat, and Sing Buri, exploring three remarkable temples, each carrying its own story, artistic identity, and spiritual atmosphere.
Departing Bangkok at 8 AM and returning by 8 PM, the route covered nearly 400 kilometers, yet the pace remained gentle and meaningful, the perfect “one-day getaway” for travelers seeking culture, local charm, and peaceful scenery beyond the city.
Endless green rice fields stretching across the border between Sapphaya District, Chainat, and In Buri District, Sing Buri
Water birds and local farmers in the rice fields of Sapphaya District, Chainat
Our first stop was Wat Tha Sung, one of Thailand’s most iconic Buddhist temples. Known for its breathtaking Glass Chapel and Golden Castle, the temple reflects the vision of the revered monk Luang Por Ruea Ling Dam. Although we arrived during the chapel’s meditation closure hours, the surrounding Buddhist art, golden architecture, and hundreds of Buddha statues around the temple grounds were more than enough to leave a lasting impression.
The magnificent Golden Castle at Wat Tha Sung
Somdet Ong Pathom in Imperial Attire, enshrined as the principal Buddha image inside the Golden Castle at Wat Tha Sung
Hundreds of large Buddha statues lining the elevated second-floor corridor surrounding the temple grounds of Wat Tha Sung — a unique architectural feature rarely seen in other temples
Royal monuments of the Kings of the Rattanakosin Era standing in front of the Glass Chapel at Wat Tha Sung
“Por Hai Ma Museum” at Wat Tha Sung, displaying sacred amulets and collections of Luang Por Pan of Wat Bang Nom Kho and Luang Por Ruesi Ling Dam, his disciple
The journey continued to Wat Pak Khlong Makham Thao, a riverside temple rich in spiritual history. Once widely known across Thailand, the temple is deeply connected to Luang Pu Suk, a legendary meditation monk and spiritual teacher of Prince Chumphon. The atmosphere here feels quieter and more traditional, with riverside pavilions, old structures, fish-feeding spots, and views over the Chao Phraya waterways offering a nostalgic glimpse into old Siam.
Large statues of Luang Pu Samran, Luang Pu Suk, and Prince Chumphon displayed on the second floor of the meditation hall at Wat Pak Khlong Makham Thao (the hall is currently under construction)
The golden pagoda inside Wat Pak Khlong Makham Thao
Riverside pavilion along Makham Thao Canal in front of Wat Pak Khlong Makham Thao
Local boats offering canal tours and ash-scattering ceremonies along Makham Thao Canal in front of Wat Pak Khlong Makham Thao
Naga sculptures guarding the riverside vihara at Wat Pak Khlong Makham Thao
Our final temple was Wat Prachotikaram, one of the most unique temples in Thailand. Inside the ordination hall stand two giant standing Buddha images placed one behind another in separate chambers, an extremely rare architectural and spiritual feature. The temple may not be as famous as the previous two, but its quiet elegance and historical significance make it deeply memorable.
Reclining Buddha statue located in front of the ordination hall at Wat Prachotikaram
Phra Phuttha Bodhinimit Prasit Chok Buddha image in front of the ordination hall at Wat Prachotikaram
Luang Por Sin, one of the rare twin principal Buddha images inside the ordination hall at Wat Prachotikaram
Luang Por Sap, the second principal Buddha image located in the inner chamber of the ordination hall at Wat Prachotikaram
Sculptures of Rahu swallowing the moon and Thao Wessuwan standing in front of the ordination hall at Wat Prachotikaram
Before heading back to Bangkok, we stopped at a local hidden-gem restaurant surrounded by rice fields, ponds, and lush greenery. Traditional Thai dishes, peaceful countryside views, and the calm evening atmosphere became the perfect ending to the journey.
Mae La River in Sing Buri Province
A peaceful corner inside Baan Suan Mae La Karong Restaurant, Sing Buri
Ending the day with views of the Chao Phraya River along the border of Chainat and Sing Buri provinces
What makes this route special is not only the temples themselves, but everything in between, endless rice paddies, farmers working the land, water birds flying across the fields, and the simple beauty of Central Thailand’s countryside.
Three temples. Three cities. Three different expressions of Buddhist art and local heritage, connected by the same spiritual roots and timeless charm.
A meaningful journey that proves you do not need to travel far to rediscover Thailand again.
#PacificLeisure #MeaningfulTourism #CommunityTravel #Thailand #UthaiThani #Chainat #SingBuri #TempleJourney #ThaiCulture #HiddenThailand #OneDayTrip #SlowTravel #SustainableTourism
Editor in Chief : Nampetch Siramanon
Editor: Pacific Leisure (Thailand)
Content Creator : Mr. Saroj Na Ayutthaya
Navigate
Terms & Privacy
Pacific Leisure (Thailand) Limited
No. 888/154, Mahatun Plaza Bldg., 15th Floor,
Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Pathum Wan,
Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Phone : +66 22 542 966
Mobile : +66 63 224 1384, +66 81 138 2983
Email : info@pacificleisureth.com
Website : https://www.PacificLeisureTH.com
(TAT) Licensed No: 11/00161
