Important archeological structures in the temple include the main chapel and the elephant-head pagoda. The chapel is of Lanna style built by Chiang Saen craftsmen and houses the principal Buddha image. The pagoda is of Chiang Saen style and contains Buddha relics brought from Hamsavati City, Burma.
Between1967 and 1977, the temple was in poor condition and a restoration project was launched. Furthermore, a museum was also founded to collect local art and cultural objects.
The museum has three exhibition buildings.
- The first one is a two-storey structure with applied Lanna architecture, displaying religious items, such as wooden Buddha images, a 500-year old golden image placed in a pavilion, wooden amulets dating back to the 17th –19th centuries, scripture chests, candelabra, palm-leaf scriptures, ornamental items of northern noblemen, the stone inscription of Phrae, silverware and weaponry.
- The second building is a one-storey concrete structure displaying similar items as those in the first building.
- The last one is a wooden Lanna structure made from golden teakwood, housing local handicrafts and contemporary household utensils.
In 2003, the community tried to renovate the museum due to its dilapidated condition. It was supported by the municipality, Maha Chulalongkorn University of Phrae Campus, and the Livable Community and City Project. Moreover, officers from the Office of Nan Museum provided assistance on the categorization and registration of the objects.
Sources:
1. Field investigation on April 21, 2004
2. Muang Phrae Descendents Group. 2005. Phrae Studies. Phrae: Thai Usaha.
3. “Wat Luang Community Museum”. Chumchon Thai Journal, September 2004.
4. Suwat Asawachaicharn. 2005. The travellers: Northern Region. Bangkok: Sarakhadi
Wat Luang, Kham Lue Rd., Tambon Naiwiang, Muang District, Phrae Province 54000 Tel.054521710
open:09.00am - 04.00pm daily , free admission
