Wat Pho Chai

Wat Pho Chai is located in the south-east area of Nong Khai. The temple is famous for a large bronze-Buddha with a solid gold head decorated with precious stones predominantly rubies.

The temple building houses numerous wooden carvings and murals. The murals depict the history of the Buddha image – which originated in Laos. The Buddha image was transported across the Mekong River and fell into the water during a storm where it sat undisturbed for twenty five years. It was finally salvaged and spent some years in another Thai temple before being moved to Wat Pho Chai. The Buddha image is main focus of a procession around Nong Khai during the Songkran Festival.