Wat Ban Rai
Wat Ban Rai
4.5
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4.5
87 reviews
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boredandalivesg
Singapore, Singapore29 contributions
Jan 2021 • Friends
One of the most famous temples in Thailand is situated at the Nakhon Ratchasima province (Korat).
Wat Ban Rai was originally only a small monastery but the noble monk Luang Phor Khun who is widely respected by Buddhists world-wide developed it into one of the most majestic temples one can ever imagine. The temple which is the size of about 20 football fields is made up of different compounds & shrines.
The various shrines are tastefully designed with some architecture boasting elongated glistening gold roofs & elaborate Buddha statues. The museum promises merging & forever changing basic elements of Thai design & creativity from the sophisticated inspiration of modernity. The iconic shrine in the shape of an elephant is covered with more than 20 million pieces of mosaic, making it Asia's largest ceramic mosaic shrine.
The museum situated at another compound exhibits the life & story of Luang Phor Khun. It displays a collection of holy artifacts about the journey & amulets made by this holy abbot. Some of these sacred amulets are extremely rare & can cost more than 300 thousand Thai Baht a piece.
Wat Ban Rai was originally only a small monastery but the noble monk Luang Phor Khun who is widely respected by Buddhists world-wide developed it into one of the most majestic temples one can ever imagine. The temple which is the size of about 20 football fields is made up of different compounds & shrines.
The various shrines are tastefully designed with some architecture boasting elongated glistening gold roofs & elaborate Buddha statues. The museum promises merging & forever changing basic elements of Thai design & creativity from the sophisticated inspiration of modernity. The iconic shrine in the shape of an elephant is covered with more than 20 million pieces of mosaic, making it Asia's largest ceramic mosaic shrine.
The museum situated at another compound exhibits the life & story of Luang Phor Khun. It displays a collection of holy artifacts about the journey & amulets made by this holy abbot. Some of these sacred amulets are extremely rare & can cost more than 300 thousand Thai Baht a piece.
Written December 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shawnong
Singapore, Singapore61 contributions
Wat Ban Rai, a Thai temple where LP Koon is at. Nice and beautiful temple with a lot of statues of Thai Buddha and LP Koon.
If you want to see LP Koon, daily he only come out around 2pm. There will be a mass chanted at that time. Everyone will be link up with a white rope, which LP Koon will held on his hand. After the chanted, you can cut the rope and bring back. When taking photo of him, do not use flashlight. Overall a good experience to be at this temple.
If you want to see LP Koon, daily he only come out around 2pm. There will be a mass chanted at that time. Everyone will be link up with a white rope, which LP Koon will held on his hand. After the chanted, you can cut the rope and bring back. When taking photo of him, do not use flashlight. Overall a good experience to be at this temple.
Written December 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris Backe @ WorthyGo
Bangkok, Thailand176 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
So it's clear, this is a good hour-plus out of Nakhon Ratchasima, the city. That said, this temple is well worth the visit. The temple itself is overshadowed by the brand-spanking-new Thep Witayakom Viharn. This is what you make the journey to see - tens of millions of pieces of colorful ceramic, hand-laid in over the course of two years. Remember to take in the outside
Once inside, head downstairs for an intriguing look at some of the beliefs envisioned here. Purchase a 'smartcard' to make donations throughout the temple - it's a pretty high-tech system, actually, and the first one I've seen like it.
Don't forget to take the stairway to heaven, for want of a better term. Plenty of gorgeous Buddhist paintings, including the faces of some real people that must have had a hand in the construction. Reaching the top rewards you with a nice view of the lake that surrounds the viharn, and an image of the beloved monk Luang Pho Khun.
It's one of the few temples in Thailand I'll highly recommended. It's not really aimed or meant for tourists, and there are plenty of devout Buddhists. Stay classy, folks.
Once inside, head downstairs for an intriguing look at some of the beliefs envisioned here. Purchase a 'smartcard' to make donations throughout the temple - it's a pretty high-tech system, actually, and the first one I've seen like it.
Don't forget to take the stairway to heaven, for want of a better term. Plenty of gorgeous Buddhist paintings, including the faces of some real people that must have had a hand in the construction. Reaching the top rewards you with a nice view of the lake that surrounds the viharn, and an image of the beloved monk Luang Pho Khun.
It's one of the few temples in Thailand I'll highly recommended. It's not really aimed or meant for tourists, and there are plenty of devout Buddhists. Stay classy, folks.
Written July 23, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leo H
Jomtien Beach, Thailand44 contributions
Sep 2013 • Family
This is the life work of a monk called Phrayanawittayakhomthera.
This monk is very famous in Thailand.
We visited this temple during the construction of the large elephant building.
But we will go back soon again.
It is mainly visited by Thai people.
But it is certainly an interesting attraction for tourists to visit.
There is also an interesting museum on site.
Here are many relics of the life of the monk is shown.
But also have pictures of several visits of the Thai royal family visiting wat Ban Rai.
Monk Phrayanawittayakhomthera still alive.
This monk is very famous in Thailand.
We visited this temple during the construction of the large elephant building.
But we will go back soon again.
It is mainly visited by Thai people.
But it is certainly an interesting attraction for tourists to visit.
There is also an interesting museum on site.
Here are many relics of the life of the monk is shown.
But also have pictures of several visits of the Thai royal family visiting wat Ban Rai.
Monk Phrayanawittayakhomthera still alive.
Written August 9, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angel16828
Singapore, Singapore50 contributions
Sep 2019 • Friends
This is an extremely beautiful temple by the kind & famous abbot Luang Por Khun. The place is huge & there is even a museum. A must visit temple for blessings & understanding thai buddhism & culture.
Written September 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aloke Traveller
Dankuni, India15 contributions
Sep 2018 • Friends
During my visit to Nakhon Ratchasima, I visited this awesome temple. In my first visit I liked this place too much. They have a good car parking place followed by some souvenir shop. Followed by a big lake and in the mid of the lake this beautiful temple presenting its religious, gorgeous and artistic Buddhist temple.
The shape of the temple looks like a face of the elephant and top of the temple looks like the back cover of tortoise. Both are uniquely designed. The temple also have a basement division.
Each part of the temple is with reach architectural carving, design, painting and structure. The temple showing morals of Buddhism on the wall painting. The calm environment made this place divine.
The shape of the temple looks like a face of the elephant and top of the temple looks like the back cover of tortoise. Both are uniquely designed. The temple also have a basement division.
Each part of the temple is with reach architectural carving, design, painting and structure. The temple showing morals of Buddhism on the wall painting. The calm environment made this place divine.
Written June 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gunny49er
bangkok149 contributions
Feb 2015 • Solo
This temple, home of the venerable Luang Paw Khun, is about 60 km outside or Korat and well worth the trip. The elephant temple is amazing, lots of large and colorful Buddhist paintings on the walls. I would describe them as a cross between Monet and Chagall. Luang Paw Khun, whose health is failing, appears at the Sala at 200PM daily. Make the trip. You won't regret it.
Written February 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mr V
Saraburi, Thailand48 contributions
Sep 2019
This was about a good 2 hour drive from Saraburi but worth the trip.
So much to see here, you can easily spend a day here.
Everything is so ornate and colourful with the elephant
head building the focus point. Inside this building
there are many floors with so many items, artifacts and paintings on display.
Good place to come for tham bun and general visiting.
So much to see here, you can easily spend a day here.
Everything is so ornate and colourful with the elephant
head building the focus point. Inside this building
there are many floors with so many items, artifacts and paintings on display.
Good place to come for tham bun and general visiting.
Written October 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
karin
Dubai, United Arab Emirates5 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
Wat van rai or elephant temple .. so beautiful place
From outside look as elephant with few angels and animals statues
3 floors inside with basement
View point in tge last floor
Highly recommended
From outside look as elephant with few angels and animals statues
3 floors inside with basement
View point in tge last floor
Highly recommended
Written May 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jenna M
Caledonia, Canada5 contributions
Feb 2018 • Friends
The artwork on this elephant templw is simply amazing. It is a must see temple if you are in Thailand. Since it is still fairly new, it is not overcrowded. Mainly Thais visit this temple. The detail is crazy and it is the most colourful temple so far. Inside is even better. Filled with paintings, artifacts, stories, it is definitely one of a kind.
Written February 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, may i know how long is the journey to Wat Ban Rai Temple if im staying at Sukhumvit ..also advise the charges for the taxi to get there (one way)
Written November 11, 2018
It’s too far for taxi. This place is not in Bangkok. It’s in Nakhon Ratchasima
Written January 3, 2019
Hola cómo estás ?
Te cuento que en los proximos días vaijamos a Tailandia y me encantaría conocer el templo elefante
Me podrías contar cómo llegaste allá ?
Sabes cómo llegar desde Bangkok ?
Porfa espero me puedes ayudar , no hay mucha información en internet
Written November 30, 2017
Hola!
Nosotros vamos en 3 semanas a Tailandia y tengo exactamente la misma pregunta que tú. No sé como ir desde BKK. Lo conseguiste?
Me podrías explicar? Valió la pena?
Muchas gracias
Written February 27, 2018
How much for taxi from Bangkok Baiyoke to Lp koon temple , thank you anyone out there ,
Written June 18, 2016
how much to get there from Korat City Centre? If book a taxi, how much would that be?
Written November 13, 2015
Hello, im from holland but asked familybof my wife who lives in korat and they don't know for a taxi. But you can rent a mini bus with chauffeur. To bring you and take you back for around 1000bht. Ex gas
Written November 13, 2015
tansiewching2002
Singapore, Singapore
May I know how to get there from Bangkok? Many thanks
Written May 17, 2015
U can booked a day tour taxi to get there
Written May 19, 2015
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