Wat Phra Dhammakaya in Pathum Thani

Wat Phra Dhammakaya in Pathum Thani – The Largest Temple in Thailand

With more than 3000 monks, novices, laymen and laywomen, Wat Phra Dhammakaya (วัดพระธรรมกาย) is actually the largest Buddhist temple in Thailand. On Sundays and when special religious ceremonies are carried out, this temple can attract over 100,000 devotees.

A huge UFO-shaped temple

It is located about 16 kilometers from Bangkok in Khlong Luang District of Pathum Thani Province. Built from 1970 to 1977, its shape resembles a starship or UFO. The temple was officially open in December 1977 by Her Majesty the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on behalf of His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Wat Phra Dhammakaya is home of the Dhammakaya Foundation or Dhammakaya Movement, a Buddhist movement founded in Thailand in the 70s, and also a centre of Buddhist studies and research which offer degree courses in Buddhist studies.

Phra Mongkhonthepmuni (พระมงคลเทพมุนี), abbot of Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen, was the founder of the Thai Dhammakaya meditation school in 1914.

In 2010 the temple deployed a Wi-Fi network to cover the 320,000 m² facility.

In 2014 a Bangkok Post journalist wrote a investigative report about Wat Phra Dhammakaya supposedly making money over merit.

Address: 23/2 Moo 7 Tambon Khlong Sam, Klong Luang Pathumthani 12120 Thailand.
Tel: +66 2 831 1000

-Thailand News (TN)