Wat Pun Tao

Wat Pun Tao is an ancient temple in the heart of the city, located on Pra Pok Klao Road, Tambon Pra Singha, Amphoe Muang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai. The temple is the former monastery and quarter and the area for molding Phra Attaros Buddha of Wat Chedi Luang.

Later, it was known as Wat Pun Tao. In the olden days, Chiang Mai people called the temple “Bhan Thao” (Pun Tao) which means making only one merit will return the maker one thousand times as many as one merit. Then, the name becomes widely known as “Pun Tao” due to mishearing. Another possibility for the name is that the temple is the place where thousands of metal melting furnaces for Buddha images are situated; therefore, the name derives from this.

In this temple, the most impressive and perfect monastery of the province is located here. The structure is made of teak in Chiangsaen style. Formerly, it was “Ho Kham” or “Khum Luang,” the residence for Phra Chao Mahotarapratessa, 5th King of Chiang Mai. In the reign of Inthawichayanon, 7th King of Chiang Mai, he had the residence dismantled as a charitable donation to Wat Pun Tao. Moreover, tourists can be impressed by the about-100-year pulpit elevated in ancient style. In the rear of Ho Kham is the principal bell-shaped pagoda of the temple surrounded by classical pagodas.