Wat Umong Thenchan is at no. 29, Rachaphakinai Road, Tambon Siphum, Mueang District, Chiang Mai. It is a temple in the inner part of the city walls. Nearby temples are Wat Ban Ping, Wat Samphao and Wat Muen Lan. The temple is considered a small one.
A survey in 1918 found that the temple was abandoned and had a very small area. It had the ruins of a tunnel 6 meters long 1.1 meters wide and 2.1 meters deep used for meditate walking practices. A sign was found posted on a pole, Wat Umong (Then Chan). Some people called it Wat Pho Noi. The temple area is approximately 2 rai 2 ngan and 43 wa. It was registered by the Department of Fine Arts in 1979. Important structures here are the Lanna Style Vihara built from around the 24-25 Centuries B.E. as well as the Large Chedi behind it.
The chedi to the south of the vihara is significant for its unique art different from all temples found in Chiang Mai. It is estimated to have been built around the 20th Century B.E. due to its structure. It could be a model for other historic structures of the ancient Lanna that started in the 19th century because Lanna style buildings dated earlier than the 21st century is rarely found.
A palm book inscription stated that a renowned monk named Phra Maha Then Chan was knowledgeable abbot of the world and religion and was respected by many. Phrachao Kuena the 7th King of Lanna also respected him highly. He would have his servants go and pick up the monk with his royal coach whenever he wanted to consult with the monk. Later, when Wat Phot Noi, of which Phar Maha Then Chan was the abbot, had fallen into disrepair, the king had a monks residence, a vihara and an ordination hall as well as the Chedi Umong built. The construction was completed in 1375 and the temple was renamed, Wat Umong Maha Then Chan. The monk sometimes moved to reside at Wat Phai Sip-ed Ko at the foot of Doi Suthep for a more peaceful environment. Phrachao Kuena heard about that so he sent his servants to build another temple with a tunnel in 1378 so the monk became abbot of the two temples. He passed away with the age of 77, 56 years in monkhood, at Wat Umong in 1402.
Reference
Wat Umong Then Chan. (2008)Wat Nai Chang Wat Chiang Mai (temples in Chiang Mai Province). (in Thai). searched on
August 13, 2008. from http://www.wat9chiangmai.com
Chiang Mai University Library
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Chiang Mai
ntic@lib.cmu.ac.th
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