Wat Khao Chedi Wisai Tri Rattanaram

 

Location - https://maps.app.goo.gl/QQ6wHewoGAU2jSfY6

Wat Khao Chedi Wisai Tri Raattanarm is 20km south of Chumphon town. It is easy to find as it's right behind the large Golden Buddha which sits on a small hill overlooking Highway 41 (Asian Highway 2), some 10km after the Thung Kha PTT gas station.

Plenty of parking is available and a concrete path leads you up the hill to the Wat.

What makes Wat Khao Chedi Wisai Tri Raattanarm a little different is that it had been forgotten and the jungle had taken over. 

It was only rediscovered in 2022 and was in the news - https://www.newsdirectory3.com/found-an-abandoned-temple-in-the-middle-of-the-forest-in-chumphon/

Locals where inspired to reopen the place with the jungle growth being cut back and repairs made. It has now returned as a place of worship and for making merit.

When you approach the Wat you find two tigers who guard the original entrance portal.

At the centre of the Wat is the original highly decorated 10m tall high bell-shaped chedi.

A number of the original temple statues/images can still be found. There is this concrete boat.

A sitting Buddha image.

And various animal statues. A prominent one is this tiger.

With their daunting size and incredible strength, tigers have long been a symbol of power and energy for Buddhists in Thailand. Hence a popular way to make merit is to give a tiger image.