Visit Wat Somdet Phu Ruea (Loei)

Wat Somdet Phu Ruea is a Buddhist temple perched on a small hill at the beginning of the road which goes up to the Phu Ruea National Park. It is worth a visit either on the way up or down the park and can be an interesting viewpoint to watch the sunset. The highlifght is the ubosot (ordination hall) in carved teak wood which houses a magnificent Buddha image named Phra Phuutha Chao Phaisatchaya Khuru Waithunyaprapha Chom Phaet or Phra Kring Powaret, an image of Buddha in the attitude of submitting Mara with the left hand holding a jar of holy water. There are also wall paintings on which you will recognize representations of King Rama 9. In addition to the ordination hall, the surrounding area has four wihaan rai which consecrate important images of Buddha including one lying in Nirvana attitude carved in Mekong Jade. But the element that can be seen from afar is the golden chedi.

Wat Somdet Phu Ruea Ming Mueang (its complete name) is an important temple built in the 20th century part of its name comes from Princess Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Boromarajajonani who donated the money to purchase the land.