Wat Nong Bua

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About Wat Nong Bua

The journey to the temple, nestled in the heart of the countryside, may be long, but it is well worth the effort. The temple, a hidden gem, is located a few kilometers off the main highway from Nan city to Pua. The drive from Nan city is scenic and the temple is easily accessible, with a generous parking area in front of it.

The temple is known for its colored wall murals and paper sketches/paintings encased in glass cabinets. These floor to ceiling murals cover all four interior faces of the structure, creating a captivating sight for visitors. The murals are similar to those at Wat Phumin in Nan City, but the hundreds of human figures here seem lifeless in comparison to the artistry at Wat Phumin.

Despite its murals, the temple isn't anything spectacular. It's advertised as part of a village, but it's not actually in a village per se. There is one unoccupied Thai style house with few furniture and three women showing weaving techniques. However, the temple is still a hub for the local community, with senior people who live nearby gathering here. Their genuine hospitality is real and they proudly present their way of living.

The temple, Wat Nong Bua, is an ancient temple with over 400 years of Thai-Lue culture. The art is beautiful and unique, and the temple is located in Tha Wang Pha district, Nan province. The peaceful atmosphere of the temple and its surroundings is a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of city life.

The temple grounds are well landscaped and maintained. Before you enter the temple, you will hear local music being played by local musicians to welcome you. Behind the temple, there is a small gift shop manned by locals who are more eager to meet visitors than simply to sell their merchandise.

Ban Nong Bua (Lotus Swamp Village) is about 43 kms drive north of the centre of Nan town. The road is good and the trip is a comfortable 40 minutes. The temple murals were painted by the Thai Lue people, who migrated into Thailand from the southern part of China several centuries ago. Some scholars believe that these murals pre-date those in Wat Phumin which are similar in style.

Within the temple grounds, as well as in a few houses in the small village, can be found ladies working on their looms weaving their distinctively-patterned cloth. Outside the front of the temple is a large shed containing two longboats (albeit in a state of disrepair) similar to those used for the longboat racing competition held on the Nan River each year.

The temple is a charming small temple in the Nan countryside, built in the Thai Lue style. It doesn't have the grandeur of many Thai temples, even many small Thai temples, but does have a very special atmosphere and should connect more with the simplicity and realities of village life. The main building is surrounded by well-manicured gardens with lovely colorful flower beds.

The temple is not easy to find as it is a few kilometers away from the main 1080 road, and about 40 kilometers north of Nan City, but is signposted and just follow the signs for the village of Ban Nong Bua. The village is not large so it is easy to spot the temple near one end of the village. At least in season, a small group of local musicians can be seen playing traditional Thai instruments under a tree just past the entrance arch.

There are some wooden huts just beyond the temple, near the monk's quarters, where one can see some traditional Thai Lue style (the Thai Lue were originally from southern China) tribal weavers at work – for which this village is particularly famous. If you are particularly interested in textiles there are also other weavers to see elsewhere in the village. One can easily see all there is to see in under an hour but if possible spend a bit more time to just relax and soak in the atmosphere.