Wat Sob Ruak Chiang Rai

Posted on May 1, 2010 by Mike

Information and Directions:

Wat Sob Ruak also referred to as Wat Sop Ruak is located on the banks of the Mekong River in Chiang Rai province which is in the extreme Northeast of Thailand in an area known as the Golden Triangle. It is actually one of the first temples I visited in Thailand back in 2005. At the time I was more interested in catching a boat from a nearby jetty so I didn’t really explore the temple.

I do however recall that part of Wat Sop Ruak is shaped like a boat and that there is a really large Buddha icon sitting almost on the river bank. I don’t remember any traditional temple buildings on my visit which makes me wonder if this is in fact a true Thai Wat or simply an elaborate Buddhist shrine.

Google maps do in fact indicate the location as Wat Sob Ruak so until I get more up to date information we will leave it at that.

The temple is very easy to find since it is at the side of the road, route 1290, that follows the course of the Mekong River from the viewpoint at the Golden Triangle. All tours of the area that include a boat trip on the river usually stop here.

GPS Co-ordinates: 20.348192 + 100.083032

Opinion:

A very colourful location that is worth a visit if you are in the area of the Golden Triangle. The Mekong waters frequently run red at this location and this presents some super photographic opportunities.

Last Visited: July 2005

View Wat Sop/Sob Ruak on a map of the area.

Related posts:

  1. Wat Tham Khao Mai Ruak Prachuap Khiri Khan
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  • http://www.phanathailife.typepad.com Lawrence

    I viited here by road perhaps a year after you were there, Mike. It IS a wat in the full sense. There is a large car park, lots of souvenir and foodstalls, some good coffee, and if you are there at the wrong time, a constant stream of Thai tour buses. The 'Opium Museum' (not sure abot the museum part of that, may be another word or two) is just down on the other side the road.
    This is all a bit too OTT tourist-site for me. But a river trip must have been great.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/12855751155187200700 Mike Rose

    Lawrence thanks for that. I included Sob Ruak because I need some new material. Or I should say more photographs for upcoming posts.

    Thanks for confirming what the map shows.

    I am off "temple gathering" at the weekend-Samut Sakhon area.,as I am going to a family members monk ordination.

    Should be fun!

    Hopefully I can fill a memory card or two.

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