Wat Phan Lao

Wat Phan Lao (Thai: วัดพันเลา) is a ruined 16th century temple in the Wiang Kum Kam archaeological area near Chiang Mai in northern Thailand.

[1] Historically, the location was outside of the walls of the former city of Wiang Kum Kam and to the north of the former course of the Ping River,[1] making it something of a physical outlier within the archaeological group.

The temple was excavated from 2002 to 2003,[1] revealing a group of large structures with a complex layout that is thought to have derived from additions to the site over time.

[1] The structures were only 50cm beneath the surface as prior to excavation the site had been compromised by bulldozers, road building and encroachment by housing.

[1] Artifacts uncovered a gilt lacquer bronze Buddha image of 27.2cm height that is considered to be 16th century Chiang Saen art, spiral and floral stucco motifs, a tuo ngao (northern Thai dialect) stair balustrade, fragments of roof tiles and layers of the receding circular moldings of a chedi.