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Wat Ban Rai is an old temple located in Dan Khun Thot District. It was originally established by Luang Phor Koon Parisuttho around the year 1953 as a small monastic center. The construction began with the building of the ordination hall (ubosot), during which local villagers helped by cutting down trees from the forest. Back then, forests were abundant, but the process of cutting and transporting wood was quite difficult without modern machinery or roads. The timber had to be hauled using ox carts or manual labor along rough, inaccessible paths. Despite these challenges, Luang Phor Koon and the villagers successfully completed the construction of the ordination hall (which has since been demolished and replaced by a new one). Besides the ubosot, Luang Phor Koon also built monk’s quarters (kuti), a sermon hall (sala), and dug a pond for water consumption. Notably, he also built a school for local children. Today, Wat Ban Rai has been developed and is visited by pilgrims from all over the country.

Wat Ban Rai is one of the most famous temples in Nakhon Ratchasima Province and was the residence of the renowned monk Phra Thep Wittayakom, or Luang Phor Koon. Every day, numerous people from all directions come to pay homage to him. At the entrance of Wat Ban Rai, trees are neatly trimmed and the temple sign is kept clean. However, some sections of the road leading from the Ban Rai School to the temple are still rough and uneven. Upon arriving at the front of the temple, visitors will see the beautiful Luang Phor Koon Museum, which was recently opened to the public. Behind the museum is a pond with crocodiles. Shops selling goods are orderly arranged and not too crowded. At the rear of the temple, there is a small wooded area with large trees providing shade. Around the ubosot, the temple grounds have been landscaped with beautiful decorative plants and small gardens.

Location:

Kut Phiman Subdistrict, Dan Khun Thot District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Directions:

Take Mittraphap Road to kilometer marker 237, then turn right, passing through Kham Thale So District and Ban Nong Suang, until reaching Dan Khun Thot District, about 60 kilometers away. From Dan Khun Thot Hospital, take Highway 2217 for another 11 kilometers.