[2025 Pak Thong Chai Attraction] Travel Guide for Wat Na Phrathat (Wat Taku) (Updated May)

Wat Na Phra That, also known locally as "Wat Taku," is located in Taku Subdistrict, Pak Thong Chai District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. This ancient temple has a long history and serves as a spiritual center for the local community. Its most prominent feature is the large stupa situated at the front of the temple, which inspired the name "Wat Na Phra That." The stupa is constructed with brick and mortar in the Ayutthaya-style chedi design, blended with the local artistic elements of Korat. It is believed to house sacred relics donated by devoted followers. The temple exudes a serene and tranquil atmosphere. Within its grounds, there are simple religious structures such as the ordination hall, sermon hall, and old wooden monk residences. These reflect the traditional rural temple lifestyle of northeastern Thailand. While it lacks the elaborate murals found in royal temples, Wat Na Phra That is rich in charm, stemming from the community's faith and way of life. Visitors can experience the simplicity and warmth of the locals, especially during traditional festivals like Phra That Day or the Boon Duean Si (Fourth Lunar Month Merit Festival), where age-old ceremonies are held. Wat Na Phra That is a cultural tourism destination worth visiting for those who wish to deeply understand "Korat" through its local cultural roots.

📍location: Village 1, Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima 🙏🙇Wat Na Phra That or locals call this temple another name, Wat Takhu, is an old temple of Pak Chong people, built in 2330 or during the reign of King Rama I. 🔽Interesting things⏬️ 1️⃣The old church is located next to the new church. It is the original building since the temple was built. The base of the church has a curved shape, which in the technical terminology is called "falling into the middle of a ship" or "elephant's belly" or "rope belly", which is an architectural style that craftsmen liked to do in the late Ayutthaya and early Rattanakosin periods. What is interesting is the roof part, which does not have a gable, raka leaves, or hang hong like other churches that are commonly found, which is similar to the "royal art" of the reign of King Rama III. Inside the church, there are paintings that are in a complete condition and worth seeing. They are pictures showing various stories, such as various Jataka stories, Phra Bat (standing Buddha), and pictures of paying homage to the Buddha's footprint. Funeral or Asupha Kammathana, Phra Malai. It also includes the way of life of the villagers. In the past, there were paintings on the outside, but now they have faded a lot. Only some parts remain above the front entrance. 2️⃣ Ho Trai Klang Nam, located in front of the old church. This Ho Trai is a single-storey building located in a pond. It has the architectural style of a central Thai gable roof house. The building walls are made of a wall panel. The reason it had to be built in the water is because the Ho Trai is where the Tripitaka, an ancient scripture book, is kept, mostly made of palm leaves. Moths and termites often come to gnaw and eat it, causing damage. Therefore, the ancient people built a pond to prevent animals from climbing up and destroying the scriptures. When it was time to go and use them, there would be a bridge to the stairs to the Ho Trai. When it was finished, it would be removed. At present, this Ho Trai is no longer used for its original function. There are paintings on the outside of the Ho Trai, starting from the entrance, which are gold-plated lacquerwork. The walls are decorated with images of the life story of the Buddha, the gathering of gods, and the pattern of rice sheaves competing for the sacred object, Mother Earth, which has faded a lot. Inside the library is a gathering of gods, falling flowers, etc. 3️⃣ Phra That There is a worship ceremony on the 15th day of the waxing moon of the 3rd month in front of the old church. It is a place of worship that Pak Thong Chai people respect and believe in. According to the history of the temple, it was built by Lao villagers who migrated from Vientiane to be the center of the community. The shape of the Phra That is similar to the pagodas found in the northeastern region. The base of the pagoda is square, while the upper part is tall and tapering, looking like lotus petals. Therefore, in Lao art, it is called a square lotus shape, which is a characteristic of Lao-style pagodas. 🙏🙇🙇♀️🙇♂️ #Mee Taku #Silk #Pak Thong Chai #Make merit and worship the Buddha #Phra That #Korat #Ya Mo #Nakhon Ratchasima #Old temple #Buddhist holy day #Lord's library in the middle of the water #trip free accommodation

The area is spacious, there is an ancient pavilion in the middle of the water. The atmosphere around the temple is shady. There is a chedi for people to worship and there is an annual chedi festival where people can apply gold leaf to the chedi and ask for blessings. There are local foods and products. There are various performances in the event.