Wat Thai Wattanaram

It was founded around 1857 (BE 2400) by Nai Mung, a Shan migrant from Shan State in Burma who settled in Mae Sot, became the first headman of Ban Mae Tao and later received the title Muen At Khamhaenghan.

In 1957 it was formally proclaimed a Buddhist temple, and in 1968 the Ko Na Win chedi was built — a gold Mon-Burmese stupa with nine spires, one central spire ringed by eight smaller ones.

The temple is the heart of the Shan community and draws a large Burmese congregation; Bangkok Biznews (2026) found almost everyone at an evening ceremony, monks included, speaking Burmese. In 2016 the fourth abbot, Phra Achan Ja Joy Kittapalo, led 23 monks and 23 novices. Some sources call it Mahayana, but Shan and Burmese Buddhism is Theravada, so the label likely refers to its non-Thai forms.

Its buildings are entirely Burmese in style, with tiered pyatthat roofs in gold and red, carving and mirror inlay. No craftsmen's names or restoration dates are known beyond the 1968 chedi.

The highlight is a bronze replica of Mandalay's Mahamuni Buddha, crowned and adorned, which devotees gild with gold leaf, in a viharn with a seven-tiered roof.

A Burmese-style stucco reclining Buddha lies in an open hall at the back, nicknamed the "sweet-eyed" or "sweet-faced" Buddha. Sources differ on its model — Bangkok Biznews (2026) likens it to the Shwethalyaung of Bago, a 2021 academic paper to Kyauk Htat Gyi in Yangon — and on its length: Post Today (2016) and the paper give 93 sok, about 46 m, others about 60 m, so roughly 40–60 m. Its construction year is unknown.

At the front are a golden viharn, large golden lions and golden hamsa columns along the walkway — the hamsa being the emblem of Hongsawadi. The grounds also hold a Shwedagon replica, a Shan-style chedi, a large marble Buddha and a display room with moving Buddha figures and a 3D map.

On Buddhist holy days there are sermons and the Five Precepts, with fundraising the day before; no temple-specific annual festival has been found. It opens about 07:00–17:00, though the grounds open earlier, and is free, with parking. November to February is cool and dry. Combine with Rim Moei market, the Friendship Bridge and Phra That Hin Kiu, about 8 km away.