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Wat Wang Wiwekaram
(Wat Luang Pho Uttama)

Sangkhlaburi District, Kanchanaburi

The Spiritual Heart of Sangkhlaburi & The Legacy of Luang Pho Uttama Perched on a hill overlooking the scenic waters of Sangkhlaburi, Wat Wang Wiwekaram is the most revered Buddhist temple in the district. The temple was built through the combined faith and unity of the local Mon, Karen, and Thai communities under the leadership of Phra Ratcha Udom Mongkhon (Luang Pho Uttama), the legendary Mon grand master monk.

Although Luang Pho Uttama peacefully passed away on October 18, 2006, his immense spiritual legacy lives on. Today, thousands of devotees and travelers visit this peaceful sanctuary daily to pay respects to his preserved body and marvel at the magnificent cultural architecture that blends Thai and Mon Buddhist traditions.

✨ Main Sacred Sites & Highlights

• The Memorial Pavilion of Luang Pho Uttama: Inside this grand pavilion, the preserved body of Luang Pho Uttama rests peacefully inside an exquisitely crafted, traditional Mon-style golden castle (Prasat Mon). It is a highly sacred site where visitors come to pray and seek blessings.
• The White Marble Vihara (The Hall of Luang Pho Khao): This beautiful hall enshrines a breathtaking 9-ton white marble Buddha statue in the Subduing Mara posture. Locally known as “Luang Pho Khao” (The White Buddha) or “Luang Pho Yok Khao” (The White Jade Buddha), this pristine statue is highly revered for its serene beauty.
• The Bodh Gaya Pagoda (Chedi Phutthakhaya): Initiated by Luang Pho Uttama in 1978, this towering golden pagoda is a magnificent replica of the famous Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, India. Standing on a square reinforced concrete base measuring 42 meters wide and 49 meters high, the structure is supported by 16 massive iron pillars facing the four cardinal directions.

👑 The Royal Relic Enshrining

In 1989, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince (the current King Rama X) graciously presided over the official royal ceremony at the Bodh Gaya Pagoda. The ceremony enshrined sacred Buddha relics—specifically two pieces of the right thumb bone, translucent white-yellow in color and the size of rice grains—which Luang Pho Uttama had personally brought from Sri Lanka. The holy relics were placed inside a 3-tiered urn and raised to the top of the pagoda, crowned by a magnificent 400-baht (around 6 kilograms) solid gold multi-tiered umbrella (Chhat).