Khosamangkhalaram Temple: Ancient Pagoda Tour in Nakhon Phanom
A 59-meter chedi honoring revered forest master Luang Pu Kham Phan stands nearly complete in Nakhon Phanom after two decades of construction funded by former Defence Minister General Prawit and military classmates. The six-level pagoda hous
Khosamangkhalaram Temple is located in Ban Kok Sawang, Tambon Kok Sawang, Amphoe Pla Pak, Nakhon Phanom Province, spread across 98 acres. The abbot is Luang Pho Hoei Suthimono, age 77, with six monks currently in residence.
The temple was inspired by Luang Pu Kham Phan Khosamangkhalaram ("Phra Sunthordhammakorn"), a renowned eastern Thai forest master and meditation teacher from Wat Thatumahajai in Pla Pak. When Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan served as Army Commander, he developed faith in the temple through his work in Nakhon Phanom Province twenty years earlier.
After Luang Pu's death on November 24, 2003, and through 2014, General Prawit convinced his military classmates from Class 17 to donate for the stupa's construction, raising 82 million baht to fund the Phra Maha Dhatu Chedi Khosamangkhalaram, establishing a spiritual center for Buddhists to pay homage and a pilgrimage destination.
On January 9, 2015, General Prawit laid the foundation stone with an initial budget of 400 million baht. The chedi resembles Bangkok's Wat Saket, stands 59 meters tall (matching Luang Pu's age), spans six levels with a central elevator, side staircases, and two 50-meter naga serpents coiling around its base.
Level 1 (top) enshrines the Buddha's relic, imported from Sri Lanka by the former abbot of Wat Bowonniwet, with seven Buddha chambers and deity shrines. Level 2 displays temple treasures, ancient Buddha statues from the Thonburi to Chakri eras, and historical artifacts. Level 3 houses a museum documenting Luang Pu Kham Phan's teachings and the chedi's history. Level 4 serves as a meditation hall with intricate Buddhist and Ramakien murals. Level 5 features the principal Buddha image and statues of renowned masters. Level 6 provides meditation space for visitors.
Construction, overseen by General Suchart Chomphutwip and General Prawit Wongsuwan as chief coordinator from design in 2014 through 2023, has reached 90 percent completion with 500 million baht spent. Though unfinished, Buddhist visitors from the region visit regularly on weekends and holy days. Opening hours: Monday–Friday 12:00–17:00, weekends and holidays 09:00–17:00 (since May 1, 2023).
The stupa features 199 external steps leading to the summit, offering a panoramic 180-degree vista—a breathtaking architectural marvel.
