History of the Temple and the Origin of Its Name

Wat Pa A Chiang was originally a cemetery used for burying both people and elephants. It was developed into a site for religious ceremonies starting in 1973 (B.E. 2516). The name A Chiang comes from the word for elephant, reflecting the belief that elephants are the guardians of this land. The temple was officially recognized as a temple on May 29, 2020 (B.E. 2563).

Elephant Cemetery

(Elephant Memorial Site)



The site contains the remains of over 200 elephants, all of which were domestic elephants with previous owners.

The elephant bones are preserved in warrior-shaped urns made of cement, each topped with a lotus bud.

Each urn is inscribed with the elephants name, such as Phlai Suriyan or Phang Chan Saeng, along with the year of death.

Erawan Sala

(Elephant-shaped Assembly Hall)

The building is an artistic structure shaped like a mother and baby elephant, constructed from concrete and standing approximately 30 meters tall.

Inside, it serves as an assembly hall for religious ceremonies. The two elephants symbolize the bond between humans and elephants, reflecting the beliefs of the Kuy community.

Pa Kam Chang Pavilion

(Elephant Doctor Ritual Pavilion)

Pa Kam Pavilion is a shrine dedicated to the Elephant Doctor Master (Chao Mor Chang).

This ritual, connected to elephant husbandry, has been practiced for hundreds of years.

Every year, a ceremony honoring the Elephant Doctor Master is held for blessings and auspiciousness.

A highlight of the ritual is the Ram Glaemor dance, performed to invite the masters spirit, which is now rarely seen today.

Belief in Elephant Spirits

• The Kuy people believe that when an elephant dies, its spirit continues to exist.
• Proper rituals must be performed to send off the spirit appropriately; otherwise, misfortune may befall the elephants caretakers.

Ritual for Asking Forgiveness and Paying Respect to the Elephant Master

• Before bringing elephants to participate in parades or important ceremonies, locals perform a ritual to ask forgiveness from the Elephant Master and the spirits of elephants at the cemetery.
• This ritual demonstrates respect and expresses gratitude toward these long-time animal companions.

Role of the Monks

• Some monks at the temple were formerly elephant owners or elephant doctors.
• This gives them a deep understanding of local ways of life and allows them to harmoniously integrate Buddhist teachings with indigenous culture.
• Buddhist rituals, such as dedicating merit to elephants, are thus uniquely blended with traditional beliefs.

Community Spiritual Center

• Wat Pa A Chiang functions as a center for cultural preservation.
• Children and youth learn about their roots through rituals and storytelling, making it a space that helps sustain the identity of the Kuy people in an era where local traditions are increasingly at risk of disappearing.