Wat Pha Kho, an important ancient temple in Songkhla province, in the South of Thailand

Wat Pha Kho is an important ancient temple and considered as one of the oldest temples in Songkhla Province. It was registered as an ancient site. Its official name is Wat Rachapraditsathan.

Wat Pha Kho is the temple where Somdej Pha Kho was once the abbot and he resided in this temple approximately 400 years ago.

Somdej Pha Kho is well-known among Thai people as Luang Pho Thuat who is believed to be able to step on the fresh sea water. Due to its sacredness, many people later on visit Wat Pha Kho to pay homage to Luang Pho Thuat and visit Wat Pha Kho museum which presents his history and some items related to him such as his walking sticks, sacred crystal ball, etc.

There are also some other ancient items such as Buddha statues, pottery, brassware, ancient banknotes and coins, etc, in the museum.

The ancient sites in Wat Pha Kho are religious sites that clearly indicate the past prosperity of this local community. Important ancient sites are:

The Golden Chedi which is named Phra Suwanna Malik Chedi Sri Rattana Mahathat. It is an important ancient main pagoda of Wat Pha Kho.

The style of the chedi is in the Ayutthaya style of Sri Lankan art. The chedi is in a bell-shaped structure. It is situated on a large three-tiered square base. Around the lowest base are stucco elephant sculptures. There is a staircase leading up to the platform.

This pagoda has been influenced by both Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism. However, the builder had adapted it to create a unique and remarkable form.

Each corner of the pagoda is decorated with small pagodas on all four sides.

Inside the chedi’s spire is the relic of the Lord Buddha.

This pagoda is located on the top of Khao Pha Kho or its old name as Phiphatsing Hill. It’s said that during the Ayutthaya period, this hill was the center of government of the cities around the Songkhla Lake and the center of the Buddhist community in this area.

The Court of Justice or Dharma Hall is another interesting building in Wat Pha Kho. It’s located to the west of the main chedi. It is a four-room hall made of brick, situated on a hill.

The layout of the Court of Justice is a rectangle. Inside the building is a lotus pedestal used to enshrine a stucco Buddha statue. The Court of Justice is believed to have been built in the Ayutthaya period. It used to be a school building of Wat Pha Kho.

Historical evidence shows that Wat Pha Kho was originally the center of administration and education in the past, and this hall was used to decide various cases.

Below is the photo of the elephant stakes that were used to tie up war elephants of the ancient kings in the past.

I can say that Wat Pha Kho is an important ancient temple in Songkhla province that you must visit and pay homage to.