Wat Sothon or Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan, originally called "Wat Hong", was built in late Ayutthaya Period. This temple is the largest Wat (temple) in the world. The building of the temple was huge and outstandingly beautiful. The temple is very popular among people in Thailand including the locals; the annual number of visitors is the second after Wat Phra Kaew - Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok. The monastery houses the sacred Buddha image called Phra Phutthasothon or Luang Pho Sothon that is one of the most worshiped Buddha images in Thailand and also is most revered by local people. Legend says that this Buddha images was found while floating down in the river, however, people couldn't pull it out until they built a small shrine and had a ceremony to invite the image.