A fire broke out at Wat Mon Pu Yak (Wat Mongkhon Khiri) in Lampang province on the morning of 2 February 2026. This place is not just an old wooden temple but one of Thailand's most valuable Burmese architectural gems.
To highlight the significance of this loss, here is a summary of the temple's legends and importance.
1. The Legend of Faith: From Timber Patron to Buddhist Sanctuary
Wat Mon Pu Yak is located in Phra Bat subdistrict, Mueang district, Lampang province. It has a history spanning over 100 years, built during the golden era of timber trade in Northern Thailand by "Jong Tong U" and "Mae Chao Kham Puan," wealthy Burmese and Tai Yai merchants involved in matchwood and teak businesses with foreign companies during the reign of King Rama V.
Why is it called "Mon Pu Yak"?
According to local legend, this hill (mon) was once guarded by a giant or spirit protecting the area. When the temple was built, villagers named it "Wat Mon Pu Yak" to honor the original guardian spirit.
2. Architectural Significance: "The Most Complete Burmese Art"
Wat Mon Pu Yak stands out architecturally and received the Outstanding Architectural Conservation Award from the Association of Siamese Architects. Its key features include:
Half-plaster, half-wooden vihara: The roof structure layers in multiple styles typical of Burmese design (called Pyathahtu), decorated with intricately carved wooden fretwork resembling lace.
Zinc fretwork: A rare feature is the punched zinc sheet patterns decorating the eaves, a unique technique of Burmese craftsmen of that era.
Principal Buddha Image: Inside is a Burmese-style Buddha in the Mara Vichai posture, with a serene, graceful, and compassionate appearance.
3. Spiritual Center and Tangible World Heritage
For the people of Lampang, Wat Mon Pu Yak is part of the "Burmese temple" trail (alongside Wat Sri Chum and Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao) reflecting the cultural blend of Lanna, Burmese, and British colonial influences. It is a historical tourism site frequently visited by scholars and artists studying its complex wooden structures.
Although the flames have taken the beauty of the wood, the "history" and "spirit" of Wat Mon Pu Yak remain alive through photographs and records. This loss serves as a reminder of the fragility of our wooden cultural heritage.
Photo from the Facebook page of Lampang Municipality