1,200 Year Old Javanese Style Temple - Surat Thani - Unique in Thailand

Wat Phra Borommathat Chaiya stands as the most elaborate example of Srivijaya influence remaining in Thailand today. Built around an eye-catching Javanese-style chedi, the site is thought to have been established when Chaiya was an important regional centre of the Srivijaya kingdom around the eighth century.

Scholars generally agree that the Old Malay-speaking, seafaring Srivijaya kingdom was based in parts of Sumatra and Java, its influence spreading as far as the Philippines and Madagascar from around the seventh to the 13th centuries.

First constructed out of brick and vegetable mortar some 1,200 years ago, the chedi was twice restored in the early 20th century. Some alterations were made, including the addition of Thai artistic elements, but the original shape was largely preserved. Those who have explored ancient Javanese temple sites will notice a strong resemblance to the sanctuaries of Prambanan and others.

Wat Phra Borommathat Chaiya Ratchaworawihan is located in Tambon Wiang. The pagoda here is an ancient monument built with the influence of the Mahayana sect of Buddhism in the Srivijaya period. The pagoda is surrounded by small pagodas in the four cardinal directions, Wat Phra Borommathat Chaiya Ratchaworawihan and a cloister where ancient Buddha images in different sizes are housed goes around the four sides. The pagoda is a revered monument of importance in Buddhism of Surat Thani.

The whole temple complex and museum are amazing and worth a visit. I take you on a tour of it and show you Wat Long where part of the Chedi was used in building the outer wall of this temple.

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