How often do you get the opportunity to stand before Thailand’s tallest Buddha statue? You are now at Wat Muang. Many people visit this temple to touch the Great Buddha of Thailand. This monument stands an impressive 92 meters tall. It is also 63 meters wide. That is huge.
Wat Muang is very popular among Thai people. They come here to touch the right hand of the Buddha statue. A tiny stand is there to make praying easier. Foreign tourists are rare here. Most prefer Ayutthaya in Ang Thong Province. But you should see the Great Buddha of Thailand. It is worth it.
You can pray and take photos with the giant hands of Buddha. I recommend walking around the temple area. You can discover a random “hell garden” with scary statues. Enjoy the beautiful buildings’ architecture, too. Another bonus is the many nearby restaurants. You can find simple local shops near the parking area. There you can enjoy local snacks.
Most foreign tourists do not visit Wat Muang. They do not explore other places in Ang Thong Province. But you should consider this province if you want to see more of Thailand. Only in small towns can you feel the real Thai spirit. You can also see many local smiles.
The Great Buddha is in Ang Thong province north of Bangkok. If you have your own transport, it is a two-hour trip. That is after escaping Bangkok’s traffic. Without a car, take a mini-bus from Monchit Terminal to Ang Thong bus terminal. Then take a tuk-tuk or motorbike to Wat Muang.
On the way to Wat Muang, the Great Buddha towers in the sky. Construction started in 1990 and took 18 years. The temple complex is large. It includes a market and food stalls. Steps at the base of the statue let visitors touch its right hand for good luck.
Around the Buddha is “Hell Garden.” It features statues of gods, souls, and demons from Buddhist Hell. Graphic depictions of torture and punishment fill the garden. Half-human creatures and people cook in the fires of Hell. Tongues are ripped out. Some are suspended above flames. It is a cheery memory for some. It shows a side of Buddhism that is not always peaceful.
The Big Buddha of Thailand has another name. It is also known as Phra Buddha Maha Nawamin. Another name is Mahaminh Sakayamunee Visejchaicharn. The statue is in the seated Maravijaya Attitude. This is a posture of deep meditation.
Phra Kru Vibul Arjarakhun ordered the statue’s construction. He was the first abbot of Wat Muang temple. It honored King Bhumibol of Thailand. Faithful Buddhists donated money to build the statue. It was an act of making merit. The statue cost about 104.2 million baht.
The exact origins of Wat Muang temple are unknown. The Burmese destroyed the original temple in the 18th century. They invaded and looted Ayutthaya. Reconstruction took a long time. It was not complete until 1982. Eight years later, work began on the Big Buddha. Nearby sculptures show gods and kings of Thailand. They also depict events of the Siamo-Burma War. A park with lotus flowers also surrounds the Buddha.
The statue’s formal name is very long. Phra Khru Vibul Arjarakun gave it. It means “the Lord Buddha of Wiset Chai Chan. It was built in Honor of King Bhumibol.” The name blends Sanskrit words.
The statue is also called Luangpho Yai or Luangpho To. These names mean Big Buddha. They are used for any colossal Buddha statue. So now you know a little more about the magnificent Wat Muang.