Wat Wang Wiwekaram

Wat Wangwiwekaram is known locally as Uttama Temple. It is the most important temple in Sangklaburi district, so either local residences or Thai visitors always come to respect to a famous previous abbot (and temple founder), named Uttama. This place becomes more an interesting place for visitors when there is a ceremony in Mon style, because the ceremony will be performed here. The location of this temple is in Sangklaburi district, where local residences lives surround the temple.

In the past, there was the first Wat Wang Wiwekaram not far from this temple. Unfortunately, the government dam project was the reason to make not only the temple underwater, but the whole city. After the evacuation, with the need of temple for the community, the temple was rebuilt again on the hill, which would prevent the problem of increasing level of the water. Then, the temple has been Wat Wang Wiwekaram as we can see at the present.

In the temple, there are a few important structure and buildings that can amaze visitors. The first one is Prasat Kaw Yod, which was built to keep the body of Uttama abbot inside. It was carefully built with Unique Mon Style, and nine-tier top style. The second one is marble Buddha image hall that enshrines Marble Buddha image, 9 tons weight, in the attitude of Subduing Mara. It was built in Burma in the order of Uttama abbot, and from the beginning to completely build this Buddha image, it took about an entire year. Similar to many other temples in Thailand, another important building in this temple is ordination hall, which is the location of religious ceremonies performed.

To visit this place, visitors do not need to pay for entrance fee. To go to this temple or Sangklaburi, visitors can take a VIP Bus or mini bus from Kanchanaburi bus terminal in the city. Those who come from Bangkok can also take a first class bus (Bangkok – Three Pagodas Pass) from Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit), 5 AM or 6 AM.