On August 11, 1975 the entire pagoda collapsed after many days of rain. The Thai public donated the money to rebuild the pagoda to its former glory. People have also placed many valuable items in the main body of the pagoda which is supported by four square bases 12m wide. The spire is gold and weighs 110kg. The pagoda is 57m high.
In the rainy season for about three months during July, August and September - depending on the lunar months, the monks are not allowed to sleep outside their Temple and they cannot defrock. Wat Phra That Phanom is then extremely busy.
Every morning at dawn, the monks go out to collect food. People fill the monks bowls with rice, soft drinks, cakes and so on. This is called "TAKBAT" and it is a very impressive sight in That Phanom with a row of hundreds of monks.