Wat Bo Soth Mueang is situated on a high hill, aligned with the old provincial hall on Benjamara Chuthit Road, alongside the right bank of the Chanthaburi River. It is believed to have been constructed in 1852, likely dating back to the late Ayutthaya period, as evidenced by the white sandstone Buddhist sculptures, the ubosot (ordination hall), and the Sri Lankan-style chedi. Additionally, a lintel featuring late Ban Phanat art, created between 1510 and 1630, depicting Indra riding the Airavata elephant within a glass house archway, was also discovered here. The temple is home to many noteworthy features including the ubosot, a sermon hall, a chant hall, and a large chedi that contains sacred relics, surrounded by smaller chedis at each corner. In front of the ubosot, there are artistic lintels with Ban Phanat designs, as well as the Phra Pariyattidham School. Moreover, the back of the temple features a staircase leading down to Tha Luang, a historic riverside community estimated to be around 300 years old, dating back to the era of King Narai the Great. Currently, there are efforts to promote and develop the banks of the Chanthaburi River as a hub for cultural preservation and tourism. This riverside area, once a traditional trading hub, boasts old shops and houses that still retain their beauty.
Photo Credit: ททท.สำนักงานจันทบุรี
Wat Bot Muang and the Chanthaboon waterfront community
Province: Chanthaburi