Wat Pongsanuk Nuea

1. Wihan Phra Chao Phan Ong (Wihan Lang Mee Yod) This is the heart of the temple and a masterpiece that earned it a UNESCO award. Architecture: The viharn is built in a pavilion style with a three-tiered roof and projecting porches on all four sides (in all four directions). It sits on a mound modeled after a mountain (a replica of Mount Sumeru). Interior Highlights: The viharn's interior is stunningly beautiful, particularly the upper and inner perimeter of the viharn, which is decorated with 1,080 small Buddha amulets, hence the name "Wihan Phra Chao Phan Ong." Phra Phra 4 Thip: Inside the viharn, four Buddha images face back to back, a rare form of Buddhist art, similar to those at Wat Phumin in Nan Province. 2. UNESCO Award of Merit Wat Pong Sanuk Nuea is the only religious site in Thailand to receive an award for cultural conservation. In 2008, this award was given to the Wihan Phra Chao Phan Ong restoration project, which excelled in preserving and restoring this ancient architecture. 3. Wat Pong Sanuk Museum Within the temple grounds are a collection of valuable religious and historical artifacts and items from the community, displayed in a small museum. These include: ancient wooden Buddha statues ancient Dharma chest a Buddhist mural depicting the Vessantara story on cloth and mulberry paper a large white elephant flag from the reign of King Rama VI