WAT CHONTHARA SINGHAE
Tak Bai District, Narathiwas Province
The temple played an important role in the secession of land between Siam and Malaya (then a colony of the United Kingdom) during the reign of King Rama V in 1909. The Thai side raised the fact that since this is a Buddhist temple, it should remain with Thailand. The British relented and agreed to use the Klok River (Tak Bai River) that flows through Tak Bai as the boundary. Therefore, the temple is also called “Wat Phithak Phaendinthai” or the temple that protects Thai sovereignty.
Point of interest at this temple includes a mural in the ubosot depicting the life of the Lord Buddha and the daily life of locals at that time. There is also a traditional sermon hall of mixed southern and Chinese artistic styles. In the viharn at the back of the temple, there are a reclining Buddha image and a sculpture of the four-handed Vishnu. Its inner walls covered with old Sangkhalok porcelain.