Wat Phra Phutthabat Huai Tom

Wat Phra Phutthabat Huai Tom is the largest temple in Li District and serves as the community temple for the Pga’kho (Karen) people of Ban Huai Tom. The temple occupies a spacious area and stands out as an important religious site with distinctive Lanna-style architecture, constructed from locally sourced laterite stone. Inside, the temple houses the main viharn, featuring a large principal Buddha image, five statues of Luang Pu Kruba, and a sacred Buddha footprint. The viharn walls are adorned with beautiful murals that narrate the life and legacy of Kruba Wongsa, from his birth to events following his passing, while also illustrating the history of the Huai Tom community.At the rear of the temple lies the Viharn Phra Muang Kaew, an exquisitely decorated structure containing the sacred relics of Luang Pu Kruba Chaiwongsa Phatthana.A unique highlight of visiting this temple is the “vegetarian alms-giving ritual”, where locals offer only vegetarian food during almsgiving. This practice reflects the village’s distinctive identity and spiritual lifestyle, setting it apart from other communities.