Information and Directions:
Wat Phrathat Phanom Woramahawihan(วัดพระธาตุพนมวรมหาวิหาร) is a first class royal temple located in the small town of That Phanom which is about 50 km south of Nakhon Phanom in the province of the same name. It is also adjacent to the Mekong River and the border with Laos.
Wat Phrathat Phanom Woramahawihan is famous for the large stupa on the site which is relatively new(1979) but it replaces and is modelled on the original one that is believed to have dated back to the 7th -9th centuries. The original stupa fell down in severe storms. There are many important Buddha relics in the building including a chest bone from the Lord Buddha.
Besides the magnificent stupa the Wat also houses several other beautiful buildings including an ornate Bot. There is a strong Khmer influence in the architecture.
It is said that if you visit the temple seven times you will become part of its heritage although most Thais consider one such visit to be auspicious.
Wat Phrathat Phanom Woramahawihan is located on Highway 212. There are no entrance charges and there is ample parking.
GPS Co-ordinates: 16.946847,104.725599
Opinion:
A must visit site if you are in the area. Historic and full of superb photographic opportunities.
Last Visited: July 2010
My thanks to Duen Prommi who contributed the photographs and explanation(edited by me) of this exciting site which she visited during a Buddhist retreat to the area. Sadly it was raining heavily during the visit so some of the photographs appear a little misty.
View Wat Phrathat Phanom Woramahawihan on a map of the area
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