🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
If you're visiting Trat and want to see more than just the sea and the islands, Wat Buppharam is a good place to stop. The temple sits about 2 kilometres west of Trat town, in Ban Plai Khlong, Wang Krachae subdistrict — which is why locals call it Wat Plai Khlong. It's shaded by big old trees, with a small canal running through, and the atmosphere is quiet — none of the crowds you get at the famous temples in bigger cities. An easy place to wander around.
A short history — just how old?
According to the temple's own records, Buppharam was built around 1652, in the reign of King Prasat Thong of Ayutthaya. That makes it roughly 370-something years old today — the oldest temple in Trat province. The name "Buppharam" means "the monastery of flowers," and it comes from a story: when the local landowner and villagers set out to find a place to build a temple, they reached this spot and caught the scent of fragrant flowers drifting in the air — but could never find the tree it came from. They took it as a good omen and built the temple right here.
In 2001, Wat Buppharam received an award for outstanding architectural conservation from the Association of Siamese Architects (ASA) — confirmation that the old craftsmanship here is genuinely valued and has been well looked after.
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What not to miss
- The old wooden viharn — the timber building the temple is known for. The structure and the wooden ceiling are still largely in their original state, and it's a favourite spot for anyone who loves wooden architecture to stop and take photos.
- The murals in the ordination hall — inside the ubosot are old paintings that blend Ayutthaya and Chinese styles, with details that really capture the era.
- The stupas along the canal — several old stupas line the canal, with weathered laterite walls and frangipani trees growing in among them. The atmosphere is very classic.
- The Buddha's Footprint mondop — a building enshrining a replica of the Buddha's footprint, another spot where people come to pay their respects.
- Luang Pho To — the large principal Buddha image that Trat locals hold in high regard, and a regular stop for prayers and blessings.
The Wat Buppharam museum
What sets this temple apart from the rest is the museum the temple set up to house the artefacts it has collected over the years. Inside you'll find Buddha images in various postures, old crockery and ceramic ware, antique pottery from both Sukhothai and China, ancient palm-leaf manuscripts, a busabok throne, plus brassware and any number of other art objects. It's like a miniature treasury of old Trat that's genuinely enjoyable to browse.
Tip
The museum is open daily, roughly 8:00–17:00. There's no official entry fee, but there's a donation box if you'd like to chip in toward the temple's upkeep. If you want to see the woodwork and the paintings clearly, go mid-morning before the sun gets harsh — the light inside the viharn is soft and just right.
What else is nearby
Trat Old Town (Bang Phra canalside community)
An old community along Bang Phra canal, with wooden houses, coffee shops and local eats. It's in the town centre, just a few minutes' drive from the temple.
Markets in Trat town
Local food, shrimp paste, dried seafood and Trat souvenirs — a good stop after the temple.
Getting there and the best time to go
- From Trat town — drive about 2 kilometres west toward Ban Plai Khlong, Wang Krachae subdistrict. There are signs pointing the way in, and both cars and motorbikes can reach the temple entrance.
- Parking — there's a parking area inside the temple grounds, big enough that you won't need to worry about finding a spot.
- When to go — it's fine any time of day, but morning through late morning is shadier and best for photos. Avoid midday when the sun is strong.
- What to wear — this is a temple and a sacred place, so dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, especially when entering the ordination hall and the museum.
You can see all of Wat Buppharam in about 45 minutes to an hour. It works well as the opening or closing stop on your first day in Trat, before or after you catch a boat out to the islands — a chance to see another side of the province beyond the sea.
Want to do Trat in full — temples, sea and food
See the Trat travel guide →