[2025 Khon Kaen Attraction] Travel Guide for Wat Chaisi: The Temple of Unique Murals - The Story of Sinsai (Updated Oct)

#GetDiscountsWithoutLuck Wat Chai Si is a beautiful and revered temple in Khon Kaen. It stands out for its architectural style, which blends Thai and Lao styles seamlessly. Inside, the temple features a beautiful ubosot (ordination hall) and houses a beautiful Buddha image in the Mara Vijaya posture, revered by the locals. There's also a beautiful golden pagoda within the temple grounds for worship. A visit to Wat Chai Si Phum will offer a tranquil and shady atmosphere, and you'll surely take home some stunning and memorable photos. #KhonKaen #KhonKaenTravel #BeautifulTemples #CityTemples

Wat Chai Si was established on March 22, 1865, and received the royal charter of the boundary markers on February 16, 1917. Locals call it Wat Tai. Since the sim, which is over 80 years old, has deteriorated and has been renovated and added on numerous times, in 1982, villagers of Sawathi met to discuss repairing the sim, as the walls and roof were damaged in many places. Therefore, the original roof (originally covered with wooden shingle tiles, later replaced with zinc) was replaced with higher walls and a central-style roof structure. This repair caused cement to flow and stain the roof, both inside and outside the ubosot. In 1985, the Mural Conservation Division of the Fine Arts Department conducted a survey and reported that the murals were severely damaged. This is because the old walls with paintings had to support the weight of the newly added walls and roof structure. There were also cement stains from the new walls that had flowed down and stained the paintings extensively, both inside and outside the ubosot. It is difficult to preserve it as it was originally.” In 1990, the Department of Archaeology’s Urgent Mural Conservation Project conserved the mural paintings at the Sim of Wat Chai Si. In 1992, the 7th Fine Arts Unit, Khon Kaen, followed up and evaluated the conservation results of the paintings. It was found that the lower part of the paintings were bulging and flaking in circles, especially on the west side. This was due to the change in the roof style to a tall, slender shape without bird wings to protect the paintings, so they were exposed to direct sunlight and rain. The paintings were therefore in danger. In 1993, the 7th Fine Arts Unit, Khon Kaen, requested a budget to reinforce the bird wing roof on all 4 sides, with pillars supporting the bird wings all around, following the original Sim style, in order to preserve the hoop taem. In 1994, the 7th Fine Arts Unit, Khon Kaen #Khon Kaen

#GetDiscountsWithoutLuck 1. Ancient Isan Sim Sim is the Isan word for a church or chapel. The Sim of Wat Chai Si was built in 1865 and is over 100 years old. It is a valuable example of traditional Isan architecture. Its walls are solid, its base is high, and it has a front porch. Despite numerous renovations, it remains pristine and is a registered historical site by the Fine Arts Department. 2. Classic Hoop Taem (Mural Paintings) This is the heart of Wat Chai Si and a must-visit for art and culture enthusiasts. Uniqueness: These Hoop Taem (Mural Paintings) are the work of Mr. Thong Thippa, a local artist from Maha Sarakham. The paintings have a unique and distinctive style, emphasizing the use of powdered colors in shades of indigo, yellow, and white, creating a pleasing visual experience. Content: The paintings are found both inside and outside the Sim, telling stories that blend Buddhism and local folklore. Isan Folklore: Exterior: The stories of the Eight Levels of Hell and the Vessantara Jataka. and the folk literature "Sang Sinchai" (an important part of Isan culture). Interior: Retelling the story of the life of the Buddha. Special Features: The illustrations are entertaining. The characters are exaggerated in proportion and have acrobatic poses. They contain mystical riddles and clearly reflect the lifestyle, beliefs, and wisdom of the Isan people of the past.

Wat Chai Si was established in 1865 and received its royal charter in 1917. Within the temple grounds lies the "Sim," a traditional Isan-style ordination hall that is over 100 years old. This Sim was officially registered as a historical site on August 20, 2001. 🎨 Murals: Priceless Wall Paintings The highlight of Wat Chai Si is its "Huup Taem," or murals, which adorn both the interior and exterior walls of the Sim. These paintings narrate Buddhist stories, local culture, traditions, the Isan way of life, and folk literature such as the Vessantara Jataka and Sin Sai. The interior murals are particularly detailed and beautiful, especially those depicting the Vessantara Jataka and Sin Sai. Meanwhile, the exterior walls feature images of the seven levels of hell and soldiers guarding the gates. 🛕 Sim Architecture The Sim at Wat Chai Si showcases traditional Isan-style architecture. Originally, it had a gabled roof with extended eaves on both sides. In 1982, the roof was renovated into a Rattanakosin style, and in 1993, the Fine Arts Department added side eaves to protect against sun and rain, as well as raised the foundation to prevent water erosion. Beyond the beauty of its local artistry and serene atmosphere, Wat Chai Si is a must-visit for those exploring Khon Kaen. If you're looking for more travel destinations in Khon Kaen or nearby provinces, the Trip.com app is a great tool for discovering new attractions. It offers updated promotions and deals, is user-friendly, supports Thai language, and includes a map system for efficient trip planning. Whether you're a cultural enthusiast or a laid-back traveler, this app ensures smooth travel across Thailand.