Wat Doi Mae Pang

Wat Doi Mae Pang is a forest monastery in Phrao district, Chiang Mai province, about 75 km north of Chiang Mai city on Route 1001. Thai Holiday Guide and Thai Wikipedia both date the wat to 1936 and place it in the Dhammayut order. The grounds cover about 150 rai of forest.

The wat is known as the home of Luang Pu Waen Suciṇṇo, a student of Ajahn Mun. He lived here from 1962 until he died on 2 July 1985. Several places connected to him are kept: his wooden hut, a pavilion with a painted image of him meditating, and a spire-roofed stupa holding his ashes. A museum beside it displays a wax likeness and his personal things, including his robes, alms bowl and walking stick.

Monks still live and train here, so this is a monastery first and a memorial second. Thai Holiday Guide advises going early in the morning, before the monks finish their alms round and chores, and asking at the museum about his life before looking around.

Foreign visitors can come to see the site and pay respects. None of the sources describes a meditation programme for visitors, so anyone who wants to practise here should ask the monks in person. For Luang Pu Waen’s life and his advice to keep the mind in the present, see his teacher page. His student Ajahn Plien led Wat Aranyawiwake, further south in Mae Taeng district.