The BEST TEMPLES In Thailand 2024 š¹š Travel Guide
Summary
TLDRTravel 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
- š Paddy Doyle has visited every province in Thailand, exploring over a hundred temples.
- š The video is part of a five-part series covering the best of Thailand, including temples, beaches, foods, and undiscovered provinces.
- š Google map links and additional information for the temples are provided in the video description for easy planning.
- š Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai is a must-visit temple with a golden pagoda and a stunning viewpoint over the city.
- š² Watson in Pangna is known as the haunted dragon temple, featuring imagery of Buddhist heaven and hell.
- š 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.
- š¢ A unique way to experience Wat Pak Nam is through a boat tour that navigates Bangkok's canal systems.
- š Mukdahan's temple features a majestic blue Nagao dragon and a large Buddha statue, offering a two-for-one experience.
- šØ The Glow in the Dark Temple in Ubon Ratchathani reveals its unique features at sunset with a magical, otherworldly glow.
- š An unfinished temple in Phetchabun is likened to a wonder of the world with its intricate artwork and scale, resembling an Egyptian spike.
- š 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.
- š³ Payao Province's lake temple is a tranquil and picturesque spot, best appreciated from a wooden canal boat at sunset.
- š° Ayutthaya's temple, with its golden Buddha and red-gold roof, offers a powerful sense of spirituality and is a significant cultural site.
- š 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
šŗļø 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.
š 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.
š 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.
š 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.
Mindmap
Keywords
š”Thailand
š”Temples
š”Doisuthep
š”Watson
š”Wat Pak Nam
š”Mekong
š”Glow-in-the-Dark Temple
š”Petchabun
š”Sky Pagoda Temple
š”Floating Temple
š”Ayutthaya
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 pandemicĀ and you're looking for travel inspirationĀ Ā
then this video is for you
you see my name is paddy doyleĀ and i've recently just visitedĀ Ā
every single province in thailand and in doingĀ so i visited over a hundred different templesĀ Ā
this is literally magical that's no exaggerationĀ and today i'm going to be telling you what i thinkĀ Ā
are the top 10 best temples in thailandĀ that you can plan your next trip to thisĀ Ā
beautiful country around oh good lordĀ this is a jewel in the crown of thailandĀ Ā
this is just the first of a five video seriesĀ where i'm going to be taking a look at theĀ Ā
best of the entire country of thailand theĀ best temples the best beaches the best foodsĀ Ā
and the best undiscovered provinces so make sureĀ to subscribe so you don't miss a single video toĀ Ā
help you plan your next trip to thailand and as anĀ added bonus and to be as useful to you as possibleĀ Ā
in the description i've linked all of the googleĀ map links to the temples and all the otherĀ Ā
information that you'll need if you do want toĀ visit these beautiful parts of the country so putĀ Ā
on your elephant pants and grab a sarong and let'sĀ visit the top 10 temples in thailand right now
so you can't go to chiang mai without visiting doiĀ su tepe it overlooks the entire city as it sits atĀ Ā
doi sutep the mountain right next to the oldĀ city and not only is driving up there a funĀ Ā
day there's also waterfalls and other things toĀ see but doi sutep temple itself is absolutelyĀ Ā
beautiful the crown jewel is the goldenĀ pagoda in the middle of the complexĀ Ā
where thai people and buddhist peopleĀ will walk around with flowers and incenseĀ Ā
and visit the monks to get blessings and onceĀ you've visited the temple go outside and takeĀ Ā
a look at the incredible viewpoint overlookingĀ the airport downtown chiang mai the old cityĀ Ā
and the distant mountains if you're inĀ northern thailand you have to go visit watson
in the province of pangna just above phuketĀ is this haunted dragon temple it depictsĀ Ā
two things it depicts buddhist heaven and it hasĀ a lot of buddhas and hinduism imagery atop this uhĀ Ā
kind of like mountain overlooking the templeĀ and as that is really sweet it also depictsĀ Ā
buddhist hell it tries to scare youngerĀ generations of buddhists telling themĀ Ā
like hey be a good buddhist because this is whatĀ happens to you if you're not a good buddhist oh myĀ Ā
god there's so much stuff in here i can't show onĀ youtube there were so many things that i couldn'tĀ Ā
show in my youtube video when i visited thisĀ place just because of rules against um imagery andĀ Ā
gore and things like that once you go into theĀ dragon's mouth and you survive the bats was
you appear at the entrance of a very dark cave andĀ if you're brave enough and you have a torch go inĀ Ā
keep going and you'll find lots of more thrillsĀ apparently there can be monks deep in the caveĀ Ā
sometimes meditating on a mass whenĀ i reached the very end of the templeĀ Ā
apart from really creepy scary bugs there wasĀ just a terribly scary atmosphere thankfullyĀ Ā
there wasn't a monk in there meditatingĀ quietly because i would have woken him upĀ Ā
or scared him with all of my screaming if you'reĀ looking for something different if you're lookingĀ Ā
for something memorable then check out theĀ haunted temple in pangna it was a wild ride
so what pac-nam or the big buddha is the onlyĀ temple in the top 10 that you'll find in theĀ Ā
bangkok area now that's not because there isn'tĀ many beautiful temples in bangkok there are lotsĀ Ā
there's the grand palace there's wat arun andĀ then there's the i think it's wat po with theĀ Ā
big golden buddha reclined inside one of theĀ temples and i visited all of them and they wereĀ Ā
very very beautiful but for me if youĀ were only gonna go to one temple it hasĀ Ā
to be wat pak nam or the big buddha you canĀ drive in it's completely free entry there'sĀ Ā
a museum to the right inside the chedi whichĀ hosts a very very delicate historical andĀ Ā
expensive selection of very beautiful buddhistĀ imagery then at the top they have this beautifulĀ Ā
crystal emerald statue depicting the heavensĀ and the roof ceilings the whole vibe thereĀ Ā
is spectacular and then outside is the big goldenĀ buddha itself overlooking the tombery area ofĀ Ā
bangkok and as beautiful as it is to just standĀ below it and admire the size of this the bestĀ Ā
way to see this temple is to go on a hiddenĀ bangkok tours they do these boat tours aroundĀ Ā
sunset and they go through the canal systems youĀ see big monitor lizards you see the local peopleĀ Ā
living their life on the canals of tombouriĀ it's very very unique very very interestingĀ Ā
and my favorite part of bangkok actually andĀ then at one point or another you do come aroundĀ Ā
the corner and the temple is revealed and it'sĀ just stunning and you can jump off the boat andĀ Ā
take a closer look at the temple if you want toĀ plus on that same tour you get spat out in theĀ Ā
chao playa for the final part of the tour and watĀ arun is presented to you around sunset so you kindĀ Ā
of get two for one but for me the big buddha inĀ bangkok is absolutely incredible and i must visit
so if you're in moktahan in isan you've got toĀ check out this temple because you get two forĀ Ā
one you get the beautiful blue nagao which is theĀ word for the dragon that you see all over thailandĀ Ā
especially at the entrances of temples you'llĀ see this dragon imagery but this one is by farĀ Ā
the most beautiful and magnificent in the wholeĀ country of thailand it stands so high it looksĀ Ā
so menacing and what's my favorite part isĀ the thai people will buy these red ribbonsĀ Ā
and they'll make a wish they'll tie it on aĀ branch or on a tree nearby there are thousandsĀ Ā
of these red ribbons flapping in the wind and itĀ just gives it that feeling of like fire and lavaĀ Ā
and it's just absolutely gorgeous and thenĀ just above there is another huge buddha statueĀ Ā
and the thai people go up and they touchĀ the lucky finger the finger of the buddhaĀ Ā
and it's absolutely gorgeous humongous actuallyĀ overlooking the mekong and the isan provinces andĀ Ā
so not only do you get the beautiful dragon butĀ you also get the beautiful buddha so two for oneĀ Ā
at the temple in mukdahan just gonna pop in andĀ say a quick thank you to the sponsor of this videoĀ Ā
callie case if you are coming to thailand thisĀ summer then you are going to want to checkĀ Ā
out cali case they make phone cases which areĀ waterproof and they can float and they come inĀ Ā
a range of colors and sizes and you get peace ofĀ mind because when you're playing in the sea it'sĀ Ā
obviously waterproof but if you do drop it it willĀ float so you can grab and save your precious phoneĀ Ā
and of course since nowadays most phones haveĀ amazing cameras you don't need to spend 300 onĀ Ā
one of these you can just spend 30 dollars on oneĀ of these and get the same results and if you useĀ Ā
my code at checkout you get an additional 20 offĀ thank you to cali case for sponsoring this video
about two provinces south from mukhtahan is ubonĀ ratchatani it's a big province with a big city butĀ Ā
out in the east right on the river of the miaĀ kong on the border of laos it's the glow inĀ Ā
the dark temple i turned up and at first youĀ might think okay this is a nice looking templeĀ Ā
but the magic the aura starts atĀ sunset once the sun's dipped downĀ Ā
the glow-in-the-dark elements reveal themselvesĀ and if you have a torch you can use the energyĀ Ā
from the light beam to create patterns you canĀ write your name and once the sun is completelyĀ Ā
set and your eyes have adjusted it really isĀ something to behold one of the most uniqueĀ Ā
temples in the country a fantastic place a bitĀ hard to get to it's a bit far away but if youĀ Ā
are in isan if you're in ubon you have to checkĀ out the glow-in-the-dark temple it was fantasticĀ Ā
so this temple is something out of another planetĀ it really feels like you've been transported toĀ Ā
another dimension this is not actually currentlyĀ finished it might be finished in about a yearĀ Ā
and so god knows what it's going to be like butĀ turning up there it was very cold as it is onĀ Ā
top of this mountain overlooking the petrobunĀ valleys and at first i wasn't really expectingĀ Ā
much it just looked like a little spike on top ofĀ the mountain but as we got nearer and i started toĀ Ā
see the intricate artwork that was being builtĀ there and i got to see up close the ginormousĀ Ā
scale of this spike this egyptian looking i meanĀ it's just something out of another planet i'veĀ Ā
never seen a temple look like this i've never hadĀ a feeling like this in any other part of thailandĀ Ā
and when i flew the drone and i revealed justĀ how high we were and just how epic the view wasĀ Ā
this is going to be not only one of the bestĀ temples in thailand when it's completely finishedĀ Ā
but it might be one of the wonders of theĀ world it really was that unbelievable andĀ Ā
i think when it is finished you'll be able toĀ go to the top and get that view that we wereĀ Ā
given by the drone thankfully so yeah if you'reĀ in pecha bun check out this wonder of the worldĀ Ā
about two and a half hours away from chiangĀ mai is the sky pagoda temple or the sky templeĀ Ā
as it's also known this is a must visit ifĀ you're in northern thailand i've not seenĀ Ā
a temple this spectacular now there is a small feeĀ for this temple and that's because when you arriveĀ Ā
it's in a national park plus you need to get intoĀ a truck that will take you up a very steep roadĀ Ā
to the beginning of the staircase there's onlyĀ about 50 or 60 steps so you do need a level ofĀ Ā
fitness but it's not for the faint-hearted itĀ is quite steep but if you do make it to the topĀ Ā
not only are you greeted with ringing bells andĀ gongs and this fresh mountain air but if you getĀ Ā
to the top you'll reveal the incredible views ofĀ these white pagodas and gold statues and templesĀ Ā
structures on this limestone cliff mountain rangeĀ basically overlooking the valleys of lampangĀ Ā
absolutely stunning completely draw-droppinglyĀ beautiful but just make sure you don't goĀ Ā
during smoky season which is from february tillĀ april just because the views won't be as epicĀ Ā
any time in the green season or in theĀ cooler months like this when i was thereĀ Ā
you can see why it's in the top 10.
this is a real undiscovered temple and it'sĀ in number three place because it really isĀ Ā
just unbelievable not only the templeĀ itself but its surroundings okay so payaoĀ Ā
province in northern thailand about five hoursĀ away from chiang mai there's this beautiful lakeĀ Ā
and there's temples and other things to do thereĀ but make sure you go on a little wooden canalĀ Ā
boat thing the guy will push you along with aĀ wooden stick once you get to the temple itselfĀ Ā
it's tiny it's on this sinking island and youĀ only spend 10 15 minutes there if i'm honest youĀ Ā
make a blessing you take a few pictures andĀ you leave but just the surroundings of thisĀ Ā
ancient floating temple especially at sunsetĀ just hang around the lake overlook the templeĀ Ā
if you have a drone get out because you'll captureĀ some of the most beautiful scenes not only inĀ Ā
northern thailand but the entire southeast asiaĀ paella lake and this floating temple together is aĀ Ā
magical magical experience and that's why it takesĀ number three in the best temple spot on this list
and number two in the ancient capital ayutia thereĀ are dozens of ancient ruins and fantastic templeĀ Ā
structures and you can spend obviously days andĀ days there and i'll link in the description alsoĀ Ā
my video where i show you loads of the otherĀ temples but there's one that was just extremelyĀ Ā
jaw-dropping and mesmerizing so once you go inĀ this temple you'll see the usual activity at ourĀ Ā
famous temple in thailand which is a lot of thaiĀ people making lots of different types of blessingsĀ Ā
and buying fish food to feed the fish outside iĀ don't know why they do that actually but you seeĀ Ā
that a lot in thailand there's golden buddhas inĀ most of the temples in thailand right but this oneĀ Ā
is the one where as you walk through the doorĀ and it's revealed to you the feeling of magicĀ Ā
the feeling of spirituality is just really thereĀ you know i don't believe in god or anything likeĀ Ā
that but when you're in that room you feelĀ something the energy the the tranquility theĀ Ā
holiness of this whole situation and the way theĀ thai people are acting they're extremely uh quietĀ Ā
and reflective and they offer they offer goldĀ material so every temple has its thing right butĀ Ā
this temple they offer golden material and theyĀ go and buy it from outside and they sign it andĀ Ā
they offer it to this particular image i'll haveĀ to find out for you why that is because i didn'tĀ Ā
actually know at the time but just the goldenĀ buddha contrasted with the red and gold roof it'sĀ Ā
absolutely gorgeous it's huge as well fantasticĀ atmosphere two hours from bangkok and if you're inĀ Ā
iutea do not miss this one because uh yeah it'sĀ my second favorite temple in the whole countryĀ Ā
this wins hands down guys if you're in petrobunĀ you have to come to see this place not onlyĀ Ā
is it absolutely perfect in every single way theĀ way it's designed the ergonomics the paintwork theĀ Ā
gold just the whole thing is just taj mahal levelĀ man-made beauty at its best the most beautifulĀ Ā
structure in thailand by far but not onlyĀ do you get that and not only is it freeĀ Ā
there's also so much more about this place there'sĀ interesting imagery about the planets and aboutĀ Ā
the solar system opposite the temple is anotherĀ pagoda that's completely covered in distinctlyĀ Ā
and painstakingly beautiful mosaic work whichĀ again just blows your mind you can spend a wholeĀ Ā
day in both of these temples they're right next toĀ each other but you also get an incredible view ofĀ Ā
the pechabun mountains the valleys below if you'reĀ lucky you can even see that egyptian spike templeĀ Ā
we saw and talked about earlier in this list butĀ that is about a two hour drive away but yeah thisĀ Ā
five buddha art piece is by far away in a way theĀ best temple in thailand it's in northern thailandĀ Ā
pecha bun go check it out and let me know if youĀ think it's the most beautiful temple in thailandĀ Ā
as well right then so that concludes the top tenĀ what do you think i'm sure i'm gonna get a fewĀ Ā
people in the comments but you know this is justĀ my opinion guys i've spent the whole year over aĀ Ā
year in thailand visiting hundreds of temples andĀ to me these are the most special and memorableĀ Ā
there are so many that didn't make this list butĀ it was really difficult to get it just down to tenĀ Ā
but for me these are the most beautiful the mostĀ memorable the most interesting next up we'll beĀ Ā
talking about the best beaches the best islandsĀ the best thai foods and the best undiscoveredĀ Ā
provinces so plenty more videos and lots moreĀ google map links for you and your future tripĀ Ā
to thailand i hope you found this video usefulĀ and i'll see you in the next one very soon thanks
you
Browse More Related Video
Exploring Family-Friendly Attractions in Pattaya: Top Things to Do and See.
Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns (UNESCO/NHK)
BANGKOK, THAILAND (2023) | 10 BEST Things To Do In & Around Bangkok (+ Travel Tips!)
Top 7 BANGKOK Tourist Attractions ā¢ Travel Guide PART 2 ā¢ Filipino ā¢ The Poor Traveler Thailand
GRADE 8 ARTS-QUARTER 1 | Southeast Asian Arts, Crafts, and Sculpture
Cambodia's Temple Kingdom | The Mark Of Empire | Angkor
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)