Butta Bat Bua Bok - Phu Phra Bat Historical Park Udon Thani
© udonmap 2009

A few minutes trip South from the Phu Phra Bat historical park you will find the temple of Butta Bat Bua Bok. This is certainly another unusual site to visit.

This site is said to be a especially favoured and supported by the Thai-Chinese community. The reason for this is uncertain but it is said that several of the past abbots have been of Chinese extraction. It is equally possible that requests here for favourable business conditions have met with favourable outcomes an so encouraged others to come. The area does seem to have a hustle and bustle appearance rather than a tranquility that is usually associated with Thai temples. Sadly general janitorial maintenance of the area does seem to be poor. Equally strange is that, for some unknown reason at the back of the temple grounds are parked two red fire trucks, seems an overkill as a precautionary measure and no other logical conclusion presents itself.

Probably the main attraction for many will be the 1.5 meter long footprint of Buddha. This is said to have been cast at the time of Lord Buddha's when he was on his historical wanderings.

However this is certainly not the only attraction of the site. Like Phu Phra Bat park the area has a large collection of mushroom shaped rocks. Rumour says that one of these actually covers an ancient well who's source is said to be Mekong River, a few kilometers away, via a subterranean passage. The rocks have undergone major human modifications over the years and certainly appear little like they must have originally looked. Concrete has been used to modify them so that they are now suppose to give the impression of the spirits that are said to inhabit them. So now, with the aid of concrete alterations you see Buddha entwined with snakes and in the company of lions, tigers and other exotic beasts and creatures.

The gardens are full of shrubs which seem to be mainly of the bougainvillea variety which are attractive all year round, but especially when in flower. At the end of the garden a rather elegant staircase leads up to the stupa. The temple hall or wiharn which can be seen there is certainly of an unusual and almost futuristic design.

For the very physically fit and active it is possible to walk out of the site to the North and along the hills back to Phu Phra Bat Historical Park. It is probably about a 4 kilometers trek though so not to be undertaken lightly.