Wat Chong Kham

Wat Chong Kham faces Nong Chong Kham in central Mae Hong Son. It is one half of a closely paired lakeside temple setting, but it has its own royal-temple history and Shan-influenced buildings.

A temple tied to the town's early history

The Office of National Buddhism records Wat Chong Kham as the first temple of Mae Hong Son, founded by the town's first ruler, Phraya Singhanat Racha, in 1827. The Fine Arts Department describes the complex as a fusion of Shan and Western-influenced architecture.

Its chedi has Mon-style features and a three-tiered hti umbrella. The Luang Pho To hall contains the temple's principal Buddha image.

Do not merge it with Wat Chong Klang

Wat Chong Klang stands beside it and shares the lakeside setting, but it developed from a separate preaching hall. Visit both, then look for the differences in their buildings, collections and histories.

Sources

Office of National Buddhism Fine Arts Department archive Mae Hong Son Living Museum

Useful links and sources

Wat Chong Kham and Wat Chong Klang Tourismthailand.org