“What if I told you that this temple holds a secret?” This is Wat Moo Boon. It is a unique ancient temple in Chiang Mai. I truly wish there was more information available on its history.
Wat Moo Boon can answer a question. Have you ever wandered into a ruined temple in northern Thailand and wondered what it originally looked like? Unfortunately, there is no other information available on the temple’s history. You will not find it at the site itself. It is not in the Chiang Mai National Museum. Nor is it in any further reference material that I’ve been able to find.
The Wat Moo Boon ground itself is located 500 meters down an unassuming road. The road is questionably paved. It runs along the western wall of Wiang Chet Lin. However, there doesn’t seem to be any indication that Wat Moo Boon was a part of the ancient Lawa city.
There are three monuments of interest here. They are of varying historical authenticity. The first you’ll notice is undoubtedly the stupa. It is the complete brick stupa. The chedi has been entirely reconstructed in a traditional style. However, there is no stucco or further adornment. This gives the temple a faux-ruined appearance. This is despite its brickwork being mostly recent.
Next to this stupa is a rather unique brick structure. It contains a statue of a man in traditional Lanna garb. The structure seems to contain elements of an altar. It is a memorial and an ancient monument wrapped into one. Although there are no informational signs in English clarifying who this statue depicts. However, a monk confirmed that this is the legendary Lawa king. The king is Khun Luang Wilanghka.
The final monument at Wat Moo Boon is the wat itself. It is a fully reconstructed brick viharn. It is in the style of all those ruined ancient temples. You can find them through not only Chiang Mai but all of northern Thailand.
Wat Moo Boon sits within the ancient walled city of Wiang Chet Lin. However, it is not a Lawa temple. It is in the forests off of Huay Kaew Road. This provides the temple a very tranquil atmosphere. To reach the temple, you’ll actually be driving along the earthen wall for a decent length. You will do this before arriving at Wat Moo Boon.
Like most others on this list, it is not a tourist stop. But there is plenty here worth seeing. A large and quite impressive brick stupa is beginning to grow moss. This growth occurs along its older, lower sections. Next to that is a figure enclosed within a brick shrine. This is Wilangka. He is the legendary ruler of the Lawa people. He ruled when they went to war with Hariphunchai.
However, of particular note is the reconstructed brick viharn. If you have seen enough of the ruins throughout Chiang Mai and are beginning to wonder what these temples looked like, this brick viharn presents a fully realized picture of how the ancient Lanna brick temples might have appeared.
So, while the history of Wat Moo Boon may be shrouded in mystery. Its beauty and unique features make it a worthwhile visit for anyone exploring the ancient temples of Chiang Mai. Take a moment to appreciate the craftsmanship and imagine what life was like in this tranquil forest setting centuries ago.