History and Folk Arts of Wat Pho Chum in Ban Na Khok, Muang Loei District, Loei Province

Abstract

Wat Pho Chum, Ban Na Khok, Tambon Sri Song Rak, Muang Loei district, Loei province, was established around AD 1917. It is the important religious place of Ban Na Khok. A study through historical evidences and art history has shown that Ban Na Khok was the ancient community which was later abandoned and re-established again around late 18th to early 19th century. Wat Pho Chum was built along with the reestablishment of the village, as the center and the religious place of the community. Wat Pho Chum contains the concrete Ubosot, built in AD 1966, using a mixture of Thai, Lao, Lan Na and Yuan (Vietnamese) arts.  

The stupa enshrined three Lanna stucco Buddha images. This Ubosot is considered the invaluable historical buildings and local arts of Loei province because it is a multi-artistic building and was built from the cooperation of the residents.