Wat Pa Nong Chad, Chiang Yuen District, Maha Sarakham Province
Wat Pa Nong Chad or nicknamed “Wihan Kot Muen Somdet” is located at Village No. 2, Ban Hua Nong, Don Ngoen Subdistrict, Chiang Yuen District, Maha Sarakham Province. It started when a group of monks traveled to stay at this cemetery. When more and more villagers came to offer alms and practice Dhamma at this place, it was necessary to build various public utilities until it became a temple. “Phra Khru Methithamnan Methanan Sumetho” or as the villagers call him, Phra Ajarn Bhem, the abbot of this temple, was highly revered by the villagers. People flocked to this temple, donating money to build the ordination hall and the sermon hall until the temple gradually grew larger. In 2551, the temple had the idea to build a wihan, which is where the name “Wihan Kot Muen Somdet” comes from. This wihan is red and made of cement mixed with wood. The art used in its construction is a mix of Thai, Laotian, and Burmese art. Outside the wihan, there are sema stones in all four directions. The outer ring is a vermilion covered chapel. The walls inside and outside are decorated with statues of Phra Somdej, which were cast one by one using molded clay mixed with materials and then placed one by one. There are about twenty thousand statues, which is the origin of this temple’s nickname. There are doors on all four sides, made of large hardwood. The eastern door faces the rice fields, creating a beautiful picture frame. The central area is home to a beautiful wooden chapel with large carved glass panels. Inside is the principal Buddha image, for locals and tourists to worship and bring good fortune to their lives. A red temple hidden in the middle of the forest, no one who comes here will see it.