Our first stop was at Chachoengsao town itself to visit a beautiful temple, Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan. The temple is named after the legendary Phra Phuttasothon or Luang Por Sothon, a revered Buddha image that is housed within the temple.
When we arrived we went first to a building next to the temple to see a cultural dance in progress that was watched by many worshippers. This solo performance was beautiful.
This temple, also known as Wat Hong, was built during the Ayutthaya period and is famous for its Buddha image. According to legend, this image floated down the Bang Pakong and was recovered after much difficulty near the site of the present temple. A temple was built to house this image that’s highly respected in Chachoengsao.
The spectacular ubosot or ordination hall is relatively new. I remember it was different from my first visit in the late 1990s.
There’s also a Chinese temple within the grounds of the temple closer to the river evidence of the strong Chinese heritage in the province.