Discover Ban Mai Nong Sai

For travellers looking for accommodation in Ban Mai Nong Sai, Wat Anubbanphot in the subdistrict of the same name offers a cultural point of interest for those interested in sacred architecture and religious art. The temple is also known as Wat Khao Noi Anubbanphot. It was built in 1921, during the reign of King Vajiravudh, in Khao Noi village in the Ban Mai Nong Sai subdistrict. Its ordination hall brings together architectural details and narrative motifs: the floor plan and roof define its form, while carvings and paintings depict various religious themes. Its architecture and decorative programme can therefore be considered as distinct ways to explore this cultural site.

Floor plan, roof and stairways

The ordination hall is square, with each side measuring 11.50 metres. Its basic form is therefore clearly defined. The roof forms a second level with a different shape: it is built in the Thai style and has a pointed two-tiered structure, the first tier of which is hexagonal. The square and hexagon thus sit alongside one another as different geometric forms within the same architecture. The Naga stairways are also defining architectural details. They descend from all four sides to the foot of the hill. Unlike the floor plan and roof, they also describe the complex in relation to the hill. If you would like to take a closer look at the hall, check access to the interior and stairways in advance. The architectural description does not guarantee opening hours or that access is suitable for specific mobility requirements.

Stories in wood and colour

It is worth looking at the door panels and walls separately. The ordination hall’s door panels are decorated with wood carvings depicting the Vessantara Jataka, an episode from the Ten Jātakas. Other door carvings depict the Ramakien and various deities. The traditional wall paintings, in turn, depict the Ten Jātakas and the life of the Buddha, and are richly coloured. Different emphases are thus evident: the doors feature a particular Jataka episode alongside other motifs, while the wall paintings bring together the Ten Jātakas and scenes from the Buddha’s life. This comparison makes the decorative programme more specific than a general reference to temple art. It shows how individual narrative motifs and a broader range of themes differ within the same hall.

History and regional significance

The year 1921 places the temple’s construction during the reign of King Vajiravudh. Its significance, however, extends beyond its history as a building: Wat Anubbanphot is a religious site regularly visited for worship by residents of Aranyaprathet District and neighbouring districts. Two perspectives therefore come together: the historical context of the building and its religious role for people from the wider region. This religious role extends to residents of Aranyaprathet and neighbouring districts in the broader region; the temple itself is located in Khao Noi village in the Ban Mai Nong Sai subdistrict.

Planning your trip

Wat Anubbanphot is located in Moo 2 in the Ban Mai Nong Sai subdistrict. From Suwannasorn Road, Thana Withi Road leads towards Ta Phraya District, with the temple about one kilometre along the way. If you are looking for a holiday rental in Ban Mai Nong Sai, you can make this architectural and artistic programme a cultural focus of your trip. The architecture, religious narrative motifs and regular worship by residents of the region offer different points of interest.

For the broader travel overview: Amphoe Aranyaprathet.