Ban Mai Nong Sai: Wat Anubbanphot and Temple Art

Wat Anubbanphot and Its Construction History

Wat Anubbanphot, also known as Wat Khao Noi Anubbanphot, is located in the Ban Mai Nong Sai Subdistrict. The temple was built in 1921 during the reign of King Vajiravudh in Khao Noi village. For travelers who consider culture and architecture when choosing a destination, the temple offers a specific point of interest. Its ordination hall combines a square floor plan with a Thai-style roof, Naga stairways, and decorated doors and walls. The construction history, architectural form, and imagery offer several different ways to explore the same place.

Ordination Hall: Floor Plan, Roof, and Stairways

The ordination hall is square, with each side measuring 11.50 meters. The equal side lengths make the floor plan easy to understand and provide a concrete sense of the architecture's scale. The roof features a pointed, two-tiered structure, with a hexagonal first tier. While the floor plan is defined by four equal sides, the roof has a tiered form that begins with a hexagonal level. Naga stairways descend from all four sides to the foot of the hill. This arrangement adds another feature to the description of the floor plan and roof: the stairways connect the hall to the foot of the hill from four sides.

Imagery on the Doors and Walls

The artistic details can also be distinguished by location and subject. The ordination hall's door panels are decorated with wood carvings depicting the Vessantara Jataka, an episode from the Ten Jātakas. The carvings also feature the Ramakien and various deities. The traditional murals likewise depict the Ten Jātakas, as well as the life of the Buddha, and are richly colored. The Ten Jātakas therefore appear both on the doors and on the walls. The Ramakien and deities, however, are found in the door carvings, while the life of the Buddha appears in the murals. This comparison makes the different subjects of the two forms of decoration clear.

Another Religious Motif and Regional Significance

Inside the hall is a brass replica of a Buddha footprint. This motif differs from the scenes on the doors and walls: it is a single object, not another narrative episode. The decorations thus include depictions in wood and paint as well as a brass replica. For planning your trip, the themes can be considered separately: the hall offers specific architectural features, the carvings and murals show different imagery, and the footprint provides another religious motif.

The site's regional religious significance is also part of its character: Wat Anubbanphot is regularly venerated by residents of Aranyaprathet District and neighboring districts. The temple is located in Moo 2, Ban Mai Nong Sai Subdistrict. For directions, Thana Withi Road runs from Suwannasorn Road toward Ta Phraya District for about one kilometer to the temple. This approximate distance by road adds a practical point of reference to the historical and architectural information. When planning your stay, you can consider whether the temple's history and decorations are among the things that interest you in Ban Mai Nong Sai.

For the broader travel overview: Aranyaprathet District.