We left the giant golden Golden Buddha from the previous journal atop the mountain at Wat Khao Wong Prachan, and drove north on Highway 1.
We then turned east on route 205 and soon after again turned north on Highway 21. Several kilometers later we saw the large white Buddha statue rise out of the haze to our left.
The weather had deteriorated between both temples and as well as being hazy, the sky was overcast and dull. The magnificence of the white Buddha statue was not diminished by the drab atmosphere, but photographs would not have been great . .
. . . and then, a “eureka” moment, black and white photography for a startlingly white statue.
From the entrance road looking towards the temple, one can see the road dip, then climb steadily up to the temple complex.
The temple, Wat Tham Phrathat Khao Prang, is located in Nikhom Lamnay Subdistrict of Chai Badan, Lopburi.
The story goes that in 1973, while Chai Badan was still a densely forested area, a monk named Luang Pho Suwat, began to practice his faith and climbed to the top of the mountain every day for 15 years with just one bowl of water.
In 1988 his followers and devotees sought permission to build a temple and were granted 20 rai of land (about 8 acres), from which began the temple complex we see now.
It is difficult to take one's eyes away from the splendour of the white Buddha statue, but it is only a part of a traditional temple complex.
Behind the statue is a 5 tiered Mondop (shrine) building housing Buddha relics and the temple's scriptures. It has 9 pagoda spires on the roofs of the tiers.
Construction of the Buddha statue commenced in 2013 and took 4 years to complete.
The statue is 56 metres high and the width of the lap is 32 metres.
The style of Buddha statues vary from one temple to another, and by regional and cultural differences, but each can be identified by a peculiar feature, the positioning of the Buddha's hands or "mudras".
There are over 100 mudras, apparently. This statue has the thumb and index finger of both the hands touch at their tips to form a circle, symbolising the Wheel of Dharma.
It is called the Dharmachakra Mudra and as the gesture is performed with the hands held in front of the chest, or in front of the heart, it represents the teachings are straight from the Buddha's heart. The gesture depicts one of the most important moments in Buddha's life as he performed this mudra in his first sermon after attaining enlightenment.
You may also have noticed the red "dot" on the Buddha's forehead above. It is in fact a "bindi", symbolic in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, said to be the third eye and assists to ward off bad luck.
Otherwise, this remains a traditional Thai temple and comprising of many of the buildings that make up a temple complex.
But it is difficult to escape the fact that what makes this temple stand out is the magnificent white Buddha.
As we draw this photo journal to a close, I offer apologies to readers (and myself) for the simplicity of black and white imagery - but I promise to visit again soon when the skies are blue with, hopefully small white fluffy clouds to truly showcase this eye-catching statue in colour.
In the meantime, however, I simply end with a splash of colour!
The temple is about 210kms from downtown Bangkok, and you should allow up to three hours to get there. It's definitely a full day's trip, especially if combined with visits to the Golden Buddha, Lopburi or Pasak Jolasid Dam.
The map shows the position of the temple, but for the GPS coordinates I have given the location of the road entrance so that you will clearly know where to turn if coming from either direction.
Wat Tham Phrathat Khao Prang: 15.260335N, 101.124941E
My blog posts are generally in Thailand, but do explore, and hopefully be entertained by my recent visits to the Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri and an ancient temple at Jagat Shiromani, India.
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© 2026 Grant Cameron
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