Wat Photivihan

Northern Kelantan has a long-established Thai Buddhist population, and the Tumpat district holds a scatter of wats among the paddy fields that would look entirely at home across the border. Wat Photivihan is the best known because of its reclining Buddha, begun in 1973 and finished six years later, which runs about forty metres and is regularly cited as one of the largest in Southeast Asia - painted in gold and reds under an open shelter, with the soles of the feet decorated and shrine niches along the plinth. The grounds hold further statuary, a temple hall and monks' quarters, and there are usually resident monks about. It is quiet, rural and free, and most visitors combine it with Wat Machimmaram and the other Tumpat temples in one loop.

History

The temple was established in 1973 by the abbot Phra Krurasapia Chakorn and draws thousands of Thai pilgrims every year (Wikipedia, Wat Phothivihan).

What you'll find

• A forty-metre reclining Buddha - among the largest in the region.
• Decorated feet and plinth - shrine niches along the base of the figure.
• Rural temple grounds - halls and monks' quarters among the paddy.
• A Thai Buddhist district - several other wats within a short drive.

When to go

All year; Buddhist festivals bring larger crowds. An hour.

What to expect

Shoes off and modest dress required. It is a working monastery, so be quiet and discreet. You need a car or taxi - public transport out here is impractical.

Nearby

Wat Machimmaram and the other Tumpat temples are within a few kilometres.

Key facts