The BEST TEMPLES In Thailand 2024 🇹🇭 Travel Guide

Summary

Travel enthusiast Paddy Doyle shares his top 10 temples in Thailand after visiting every province and over a hundred temples. His list includes the majestic Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai, the haunting Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, the unique Wat Pak Nam with its giant Buddha, and the ethereal Wat Phra That Pha Daeng in Ubon Ratchathani. Doyle also highlights the celestial-themed Wat Phra That Pha Daeng in Mukdahan, the otherworldly Wat Rong Khun, the breathtaking Sky Pagoda Temple in Lampang, the serene Wat Huay Pla Kwang in Pai, the spiritually powerful Wat Phra Si Sanphet in Ayutthaya, and the stunning Five Buddha Art piece in Phetchabun. His guide offers a blend of cultural insights, architectural marvels, and natural beauty, inviting viewers to explore these sacred sites for an unforgettable Thai experience.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Paddy Doyle has visited every province in Thailand, exploring over a hundred temples.
• 🔍 The video is part of a five-part series covering the best of Thailand, including temples, beaches, foods, and undiscovered provinces.
• 📌 Google map links and additional information for the temples are provided in the video description for easy planning.
• 📍 Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai is a must-visit temple with a golden pagoda and a stunning viewpoint over the city.
• 🐲 Watson in Pangna is known as the haunted dragon temple, featuring imagery of Buddhist heaven and hell.
• 🙏 Wat Pak Nam, also known as the Big Buddha, is a standout temple in the Bangkok area with a museum and a crystal emerald statue.
• 🚢 A unique way to experience Wat Pak Nam is through a boat tour that navigates Bangkok's canal systems.
• 🐉 Mukdahan's temple features a majestic blue Nagao dragon and a large Buddha statue, offering a two-for-one experience.
• 🎨 The Glow in the Dark Temple in Ubon Ratchathani reveals its unique features at sunset with a magical, otherworldly glow.
• 🌌 An unfinished temple in Phetchabun is likened to a wonder of the world with its intricate artwork and scale, resembling an Egyptian spike.
• 🌅 The Sky Pagoda Temple near Chiang Mai is a spectacular sight with white pagodas and gold statues on a limestone cliff, best visited outside the smoky season.
• 🌳 Payao Province's lake temple is a tranquil and picturesque spot, best appreciated from a wooden canal boat at sunset.
• 🏰 Ayutthaya's temple, with its golden Buddha and red-gold roof, offers a powerful sense of spirituality and is a significant cultural site.
• 📜 The Five Buddha Art piece in Phetchabun is described as the most beautiful temple in Thailand, with its detailed mosaic work and views of the mountains.

Q & A

Who is the speaker in the video script?

The speaker in the video script is Paddy Doyle.

How many provinces in Thailand has Paddy Doyle visited?

Paddy Doyle has visited every single province in Thailand.

How many temples did Paddy Doyle visit during his trip?

Paddy Doyle visited over a hundred different temples during his trip.

What is the first temple mentioned in the top 10 list?

The first temple mentioned in the top 10 list is Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai.

What is special about the temple in Pangna?

The temple in Pangna is special because it is referred to as the 'Haunted Dragon Temple' and it depicts both Buddhist heaven and hell.

Which temple in Bangkok is Paddy Doyle's top recommendation?

Paddy Doyle's top recommendation in Bangkok is Wat Pak Nam, also known as the Big Buddha.

What is unique about the temple in Mukdahan, Isan?

The temple in Mukdahan is unique because it offers a two-for-one experience with the beautiful Blue Nagao dragon and a huge Buddha statue.

Why is the temple in Ubon Ratchathani called the 'Glow-in-the-Dark Temple'?

The temple in Ubon Ratchathani is called the 'Glow-in-the-Dark Temple' because it has elements that reveal themselves and glow at sunset.

What is the name of the temple complex that Paddy Doyle describes as 'out of this world'?

The temple complex that Paddy Doyle describes as 'out of this world' is the one on top of the mountain overlooking the Phetobun valleys, which resembles an Egyptian spike.

What is the name of the temple that Paddy Doyle ranks as number one on his list?

The temple that Paddy Doyle ranks as number one on his list is the Five Buddha Art piece in Phetchabun.

What additional content can viewers expect in upcoming videos?

In upcoming videos, viewers can expect information about the best beaches, islands, Thai foods, and undiscovered provinces in Thailand.

Outlines

00:00

🗺️ Thailand Temples: A Post-Pandemic Travel Guide

Paddy Doyle introduces viewers to his extensive travels across Thailand, visiting over a hundred temples. He shares his top 10 favorite temples, providing travel inspiration for those planning trips post-pandemic. The video series promises to cover the best of Thailand, including temples, beaches, foods, and undiscovered provinces. Links to Google Maps and other useful information for each temple are provided in the video description for viewer convenience.

05:03

📍 Chiang Mai's Doi Suthep and Other Top Temples

The summary highlights the must-visit Doi Suthep temple in Chiang Mai, known for its golden pagoda and panoramic views of the city. It also mentions the haunted dragon temple in Pangna, the Big Buddha (Wat Pak Nam) in Bangkok, and the unique Glow-in-the-Dark Temple in Ubon Ratchathani. Each temple is described for its distinctive features, such as the dragon temple's depiction of Buddhist heaven and hell, and the Big Buddha's boat tours and canal experiences.

10:08

🌌 The Extraterrestrial Temple and Other Wonders

The description details an unfinished temple in Phetchabun that appears otherworldly, resembling an Egyptian spike and offering a breathtaking view of the valleys. The Sky Pagoda Temple near Chiang Mai is praised for its white pagodas, gold statues, and fresh mountain air. An undiscovered temple in Payao Province, set on a sinking island in a lake, is noted for its tranquility and beauty, especially at sunset. Lastly, the ancient Ayutthaya temples are mentioned, emphasizing the spiritual and magical atmosphere within.

15:11

🏆 The Ultimate Temple: Five Buddha Art Piece

The summary concludes with the Five Buddha Art Piece in Phetchabun, acclaimed as the most beautiful man-made structure in Thailand, rivaling the Taj Mahal. The temple is noted for its intricate design, gold details, and the mosaic-covered pagoda nearby. The area also offers a view of the mountains and valleys. The speaker invites viewers to visit and share their opinions on whether it is indeed the most beautiful temple in Thailand, wrapping up the top ten list and teasing upcoming videos about beaches, foods, and undiscovered provinces.

Keywords

💡Thailand

Thailand is a Southeast Asian country known for its vibrant culture, stunning tropical beaches, and rich history, including ancient Buddhist temples. In the video, it serves as the primary destination for travel inspiration post-pandemic, with a focus on exploring various temples across the country.

💡Temples

Temples in the context of the video refer to the sacred Buddhist structures found throughout Thailand. They are not only places of worship but also significant cultural and historical landmarks. The video highlights the top 10 best temples in Thailand, emphasizing their architectural beauty and spiritual significance.

💡Doisuthep

Doisuthep is a mountain near Chiang Mai, famous for the temple that shares its name. The temple is depicted as a must-visit site due to its stunning golden pagoda and the panoramic views it offers of the city and surrounding landscapes, making it a key attraction in the video.

💡Watson

Watson, also known as the 'Haunted Dragon Temple,' is a temple in the province of Pangna, Thailand. It is highlighted for its unique blend of Buddhist heaven and hell imagery, as well as its adventurous exploration aspects, such as entering the dragon's mouth and exploring the cave within.

💡Wat Pak Nam

Wat Pak Nam, or the Big Buddha, is a temple in the Bangkok area that stands out for its free entry and the impressive golden Buddha statue that overlooks the city. The video suggests experiencing this temple through a unique boat tour at sunset, which adds to the allure of the site.

💡Mekong

The Mekong River is a significant geographical feature in Southeast Asia, bordering Thailand and several other countries. In the video, it is mentioned in relation to the temple in Mukdahan, where the viewer is encouraged to appreciate the beauty of the river along with the temple's attractions.

💡Glow-in-the-Dark Temple

The Glow-in-the-Dark Temple, located in Ubon Ratchathani, is a unique temple that reveals its special features at sunset. The video describes how the temple's elements start to glow, offering a one-of-a-kind experience that is both beautiful and intriguing.

💡Petchabun

Petchabun is a province in northern Thailand known for its natural beauty and cultural sites. The video mentions a temple in Petchabun that is currently under construction and is expected to become one of the wonders of the world due to its grand scale and intricate artwork.

💡Sky Pagoda Temple

The Sky Pagoda Temple, also known as the Sky Temple, is located near Chiang Mai and is renowned for its spectacular views and religious significance. The video emphasizes the temple's beauty and the effort required to reach it, including a steep climb, which makes the experience more rewarding.

💡Floating Temple

The term 'Floating Temple' refers to a unique temple situated on a sinking island in the Pahoa Lake in the Payao province. The video highlights the serene and picturesque setting of the temple, especially at sunset, which creates a magical atmosphere and a memorable experience for visitors.

💡Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is an ancient city in Thailand that was once the country's capital and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The video mentions it for its numerous ancient ruins and temple structures, with a particular focus on one temple where visitors can partake in blessings and experience a profound sense of spirituality.

Highlights

Paddy Doyle has visited every single province in Thailand, visiting over a hundred different temples.

The video presents the top 10 best temples in Thailand for post-pandemic travel inspiration.

Dozens of Google Map links to the temples are provided in the video description for easy planning.

Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai is highlighted for its golden pagoda and incredible city viewpoint.

Watson in Pangna, known as the haunted dragon temple, depicts Buddhist heaven and hell with unique imagery.

Wat Pak Nam, the Big Buddha in Bangkok, is recommended for its free entry and beautiful chedi.

A unique temple in Mukdahan features a majestic blue Nagao dragon and a giant Buddha statue.

The Glow-in-the-Dark Temple in Ubon Ratchathani reveals its magical elements at sunset.

An unfinished temple in Phetchabun, resembling an Egyptian spike, promises to be a wonder of the world upon completion.

The Sky Pagoda Temple in northern Thailand offers stunning views from a limestone cliff mountain range.

An undiscovered temple in Payao Province is set on a sinking island in a lake, offering a serene experience.

Ayutthaya, the ancient capital, houses a temple with a golden Buddha and a strong sense of spirituality.

The Five Buddha Art piece in Phetchabun is described as the most beautiful structure in Thailand, with free entry.

The video series will continue with the best beaches, foods, and undiscovered provinces in Thailand.

Cali Case, a sponsor of the video, offers waterproof and floatable phone cases for travelers.

Hidden Bangkok Tours are recommended for a unique experience, including boat tours and visits to Wat Arun at sunset.

The video provides an in-depth look at each temple, including cultural practices and architectural details.

Paddy Doyle emphasizes the beauty and uniqueness of each temple, offering personal insights and experiences.

Transcripts

if you're coming to Thailand post pandemic  and you're looking for travel inspiration  

then this video is for you

you see my name is paddy doyle  and i've recently just visited  

every single province in thailand and in doing  so i visited over a hundred different temples  

this is literally magical that's no exaggeration  and today i'm going to be telling you what i think  

are the top 10 best temples in thailand  that you can plan your next trip to this  

beautiful country around oh good lord  this is a jewel in the crown of thailand  

this is just the first of a five video series  where i'm going to be taking a look at the  

best of the entire country of thailand the  best temples the best beaches the best foods  

and the best undiscovered provinces so make sure  to subscribe so you don't miss a single video to  

help you plan your next trip to thailand and as an  added bonus and to be as useful to you as possible  

in the description i've linked all of the google  map links to the temples and all the other  

information that you'll need if you do want to  visit these beautiful parts of the country so put  

on your elephant pants and grab a sarong and let's  visit the top 10 temples in thailand right now

so you can't go to chiang mai without visiting doi  su tepe it overlooks the entire city as it sits at  

doi sutep the mountain right next to the old  city and not only is driving up there a fun  

day there's also waterfalls and other things to  see but doi sutep temple itself is absolutely  

beautiful the crown jewel is the golden  pagoda in the middle of the complex  

where thai people and buddhist people  will walk around with flowers and incense  

and visit the monks to get blessings and once  you've visited the temple go outside and take  

a look at the incredible viewpoint overlooking  the airport downtown chiang mai the old city  

and the distant mountains if you're in  northern thailand you have to go visit watson

in the province of pangna just above phuket  is this haunted dragon temple it depicts  

two things it depicts buddhist heaven and it has  a lot of buddhas and hinduism imagery atop this uh  

kind of like mountain overlooking the temple  and as that is really sweet it also depicts  

buddhist hell it tries to scare younger  generations of buddhists telling them  

like hey be a good buddhist because this is what  happens to you if you're not a good buddhist oh my  

god there's so much stuff in here i can't show on  youtube there were so many things that i couldn't  

show in my youtube video when i visited this  place just because of rules against um imagery and  

gore and things like that once you go into the  dragon's mouth and you survive the bats was

you appear at the entrance of a very dark cave and  if you're brave enough and you have a torch go in  

keep going and you'll find lots of more thrills  apparently there can be monks deep in the cave  

sometimes meditating on a mass when  i reached the very end of the temple  

apart from really creepy scary bugs there was  just a terribly scary atmosphere thankfully  

there wasn't a monk in there meditating  quietly because i would have woken him up  

or scared him with all of my screaming if you're  looking for something different if you're looking  

for something memorable then check out the  haunted temple in pangna it was a wild ride

so what pac-nam or the big buddha is the only  temple in the top 10 that you'll find in the  

bangkok area now that's not because there isn't  many beautiful temples in bangkok there are lots  

there's the grand palace there's wat arun and  then there's the i think it's wat po with the  

big golden buddha reclined inside one of the  temples and i visited all of them and they were  

very very beautiful but for me if you  were only gonna go to one temple it has  

to be wat pak nam or the big buddha you can  drive in it's completely free entry there's  

a museum to the right inside the chedi which  hosts a very very delicate historical and  

expensive selection of very beautiful buddhist  imagery then at the top they have this beautiful  

crystal emerald statue depicting the heavens  and the roof ceilings the whole vibe there  

is spectacular and then outside is the big golden  buddha itself overlooking the tombery area of  

bangkok and as beautiful as it is to just stand  below it and admire the size of this the best  

way to see this temple is to go on a hidden  bangkok tours they do these boat tours around  

sunset and they go through the canal systems you  see big monitor lizards you see the local people  

living their life on the canals of tombouri  it's very very unique very very interesting  

and my favorite part of bangkok actually and  then at one point or another you do come around  

the corner and the temple is revealed and it's  just stunning and you can jump off the boat and  

take a closer look at the temple if you want to  plus on that same tour you get spat out in the  

chao playa for the final part of the tour and wat  arun is presented to you around sunset so you kind  

of get two for one but for me the big buddha in  bangkok is absolutely incredible and i must visit

so if you're in moktahan in isan you've got to  check out this temple because you get two for  

one you get the beautiful blue nagao which is the  word for the dragon that you see all over thailand  

especially at the entrances of temples you'll  see this dragon imagery but this one is by far  

the most beautiful and magnificent in the whole  country of thailand it stands so high it looks  

so menacing and what's my favorite part is  the thai people will buy these red ribbons  

and they'll make a wish they'll tie it on a  branch or on a tree nearby there are thousands  

of these red ribbons flapping in the wind and it  just gives it that feeling of like fire and lava  

and it's just absolutely gorgeous and then  just above there is another huge buddha statue  

and the thai people go up and they touch  the lucky finger the finger of the buddha  

and it's absolutely gorgeous humongous actually  overlooking the mekong and the isan provinces and  

so not only do you get the beautiful dragon but  you also get the beautiful buddha so two for one  

at the temple in mukdahan just gonna pop in and  say a quick thank you to the sponsor of this video  

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and of course since nowadays most phones have  amazing cameras you don't need to spend 300 on  

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about two provinces south from mukhtahan is ubon  ratchatani it's a big province with a big city but  

out in the east right on the river of the mia  kong on the border of laos it's the glow in  

the dark temple i turned up and at first you  might think okay this is a nice looking temple  

but the magic the aura starts at  sunset once the sun's dipped down  

the glow-in-the-dark elements reveal themselves  and if you have a torch you can use the energy  

from the light beam to create patterns you can  write your name and once the sun is completely  

set and your eyes have adjusted it really is  something to behold one of the most unique  

temples in the country a fantastic place a bit  hard to get to it's a bit far away but if you  

are in isan if you're in ubon you have to check  out the glow-in-the-dark temple it was fantastic  

so this temple is something out of another planet  it really feels like you've been transported to  

another dimension this is not actually currently  finished it might be finished in about a year  

and so god knows what it's going to be like but  turning up there it was very cold as it is on  

top of this mountain overlooking the petrobun  valleys and at first i wasn't really expecting  

much it just looked like a little spike on top of  the mountain but as we got nearer and i started to  

see the intricate artwork that was being built  there and i got to see up close the ginormous  

scale of this spike this egyptian looking i mean  it's just something out of another planet i've  

never seen a temple look like this i've never had  a feeling like this in any other part of thailand  

and when i flew the drone and i revealed just  how high we were and just how epic the view was  

this is going to be not only one of the best  temples in thailand when it's completely finished  

but it might be one of the wonders of the  world it really was that unbelievable and  

i think when it is finished you'll be able to  go to the top and get that view that we were  

given by the drone thankfully so yeah if you're  in pecha bun check out this wonder of the world  

about two and a half hours away from chiang  mai is the sky pagoda temple or the sky temple  

as it's also known this is a must visit if  you're in northern thailand i've not seen  

a temple this spectacular now there is a small fee  for this temple and that's because when you arrive  

it's in a national park plus you need to get into  a truck that will take you up a very steep road  

to the beginning of the staircase there's only  about 50 or 60 steps so you do need a level of  

fitness but it's not for the faint-hearted it  is quite steep but if you do make it to the top  

not only are you greeted with ringing bells and  gongs and this fresh mountain air but if you get  

to the top you'll reveal the incredible views of  these white pagodas and gold statues and temples  

structures on this limestone cliff mountain range  basically overlooking the valleys of lampang  

absolutely stunning completely draw-droppingly  beautiful but just make sure you don't go  

during smoky season which is from february till  april just because the views won't be as epic  

any time in the green season or in the  cooler months like this when i was there  

you can see why it's in the top 10.

this is a real undiscovered temple and it's  in number three place because it really is  

just unbelievable not only the temple  itself but its surroundings okay so payao  

province in northern thailand about five hours  away from chiang mai there's this beautiful lake  

and there's temples and other things to do there  but make sure you go on a little wooden canal  

boat thing the guy will push you along with a  wooden stick once you get to the temple itself  

it's tiny it's on this sinking island and you  only spend 10 15 minutes there if i'm honest you  

make a blessing you take a few pictures and  you leave but just the surroundings of this  

ancient floating temple especially at sunset  just hang around the lake overlook the temple  

if you have a drone get out because you'll capture  some of the most beautiful scenes not only in  

northern thailand but the entire southeast asia  paella lake and this floating temple together is a  

magical magical experience and that's why it takes  number three in the best temple spot on this list

and number two in the ancient capital ayutia there  are dozens of ancient ruins and fantastic temple  

structures and you can spend obviously days and  days there and i'll link in the description also  

my video where i show you loads of the other  temples but there's one that was just extremely  

jaw-dropping and mesmerizing so once you go in  this temple you'll see the usual activity at our  

famous temple in thailand which is a lot of thai  people making lots of different types of blessings  

and buying fish food to feed the fish outside i  don't know why they do that actually but you see  

that a lot in thailand there's golden buddhas in  most of the temples in thailand right but this one  

is the one where as you walk through the door  and it's revealed to you the feeling of magic  

the feeling of spirituality is just really there  you know i don't believe in god or anything like  

that but when you're in that room you feel  something the energy the the tranquility the  

holiness of this whole situation and the way the  thai people are acting they're extremely uh quiet  

and reflective and they offer they offer gold  material so every temple has its thing right but  

this temple they offer golden material and they  go and buy it from outside and they sign it and  

they offer it to this particular image i'll have  to find out for you why that is because i didn't  

actually know at the time but just the golden  buddha contrasted with the red and gold roof it's  

absolutely gorgeous it's huge as well fantastic  atmosphere two hours from bangkok and if you're in  

iutea do not miss this one because uh yeah it's  my second favorite temple in the whole country  

this wins hands down guys if you're in petrobun  you have to come to see this place not only  

is it absolutely perfect in every single way the  way it's designed the ergonomics the paintwork the  

gold just the whole thing is just taj mahal level  man-made beauty at its best the most beautiful  

structure in thailand by far but not only  do you get that and not only is it free  

there's also so much more about this place there's  interesting imagery about the planets and about  

the solar system opposite the temple is another  pagoda that's completely covered in distinctly  

and painstakingly beautiful mosaic work which  again just blows your mind you can spend a whole  

day in both of these temples they're right next to  each other but you also get an incredible view of  

the pechabun mountains the valleys below if you're  lucky you can even see that egyptian spike temple  

we saw and talked about earlier in this list but  that is about a two hour drive away but yeah this  

five buddha art piece is by far away in a way the  best temple in thailand it's in northern thailand  

pecha bun go check it out and let me know if you  think it's the most beautiful temple in thailand  

as well right then so that concludes the top ten  what do you think i'm sure i'm gonna get a few  

people in the comments but you know this is just  my opinion guys i've spent the whole year over a  

year in thailand visiting hundreds of temples and  to me these are the most special and memorable  

there are so many that didn't make this list but  it was really difficult to get it just down to ten  

but for me these are the most beautiful the most  memorable the most interesting next up we'll be  

talking about the best beaches the best islands  the best thai foods and the best undiscovered  

provinces so plenty more videos and lots more  google map links for you and your future trip  

to thailand i hope you found this video useful  and i'll see you in the next one very soon thanks

you