อ่านภาษาไทย
If you have the opportunity to travel across Doi Inthanon into the tranquility of Mae Chaem District, one place that is like a living museum is "Wat Pa Daet", an ancient temple that has long been the spiritual center of the Mae Chaem people. The highlight of this temple is not its grandeur, but its simplicity and master-class art hidden in the vernacular wooden chapel.
The highlight that attracts tourists and academics from all over the country is the "mural paintings" or what the Lanna people call "Hoop Taem" inside the main chapel. These paintings were created during the reign of King Rama V by local artisans. What makes the mural paintings at Wat Pa Daet special is the insertion of the "real way of life" of the Mae Chaem people in the past into the stories of Buddhist history and local Jataka tales. You will see images of people dressed in the unique Tin Chok fabric, farming, courtship of young men and women, and the atmosphere of daily life that looks lively and full of humor.
The chapel itself is beautiful in the true Lanna style with a low roof covered with earthen tiles and a sacred wooden structure. Inside is enshrined a smiling stucco Buddha image. The atmosphere around the temple is shady and peaceful. Looking out, you can see the view of the rice fields and mountains that surround Mae Chaem, making visitors feel like they have stepped back in time to a gentle past.
Visiting Wat Pa Daet on a holiday is not just about paying homage to the Buddha, but it is about learning history through the colors on the walls. It is a joy to experience the valuable roots of the Mae Chaem people. Suitable for Slow Life travelers who want to absorb the beauty of the North in a deep corner.
