Monday, 5 December 2025
Another forgotten temple, standalone chedi north of Chiang Mai

North of the old walled city of Chiang Mai, on the road leading north from Chang Phuak Gate lies the remains of Wat Pan Sat. This little‑known temple dates back to the 14th century, a time when the Mengrai Kingdom flourished across Lanna (northern Thailand).

All that remains of Wat Pan Sat today is the chedi, a classic Lanna‑style stupa. Its square base rises into a middle tier with tiny niches on each side, and a second square level sits above that, also adorned with niches. A small third tier once supported an uppermost section that has long since vanished. All that is left is a bare brick chedi, with some traces of stucco around the niches, hinting at a once more elaborate appearance. (I do wish I could climb up the chedi and pull out the weeds, cleaning it up a little.)

Historians believe Wat Pan Sat was abandoned during the Burmese occupation of Chiang Mai—a period that saw many local temples deserted. When the Burmese were finally driven out by King Kawila, many temples and much infrastructure was restored, but for unknown reasons, Wat Pan Sat remained abandoned. Later on, the municipal bus company acquired most of the surrounding land, leaving only the chedi standing, silently reminding us of a more interesting past.

There is a plaque at the site, so weathered that all I could read was the temple name.

I climbed over the boundary fence to get a different, maybe better angle. The chedi looked almost identical from there, and I am disappointed in the photo.

Next: Hike up the Monks Trail to Wat Phalad -or- Wat Phuak Hong