Wat Pha Lat was established in 1355 under the reign of King Kuena of Lanna (1355–1385) to honor a sacred white elephant.

The elephant is said to have stopped to rest at the temple's future location before continuing up Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, where it eventually passed away.

In response, the king had temples built at both sites, with Wat Pha Lat becoming a hidden retreat and rest stop for monks.

[1][2] The temple was restored in the early 20th century by Mong Panyo, a Burmese businessman and teak trader associated with the Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation.

The temple remained largely unvisited until 1991, when a professor from the Ministry of Education initiated its revival, bringing new attention and care to the site.