It’s said that one of the weathered yet striking Mon-style chedis adorned with standing Buddha images contains the ashes of the great queen herself, and the chedis found here are considered the best examples of Dvaravati-period architecture in Lamphun.
History buffs will further appreciate the murals in the main viharn building that depict scenes from Chama Thewi’s rise to power, and also an ancient Mon inscription discovered in the temple grounds.
Wat Chama Thewi is set in shady, pleasant grounds near the river; hardly anyone else was around during our most recent visit, which we appreciated after joining hordes of local tourists at the larger and more prestigious Wat Prathat Haripunchai in the centre of town.
The wat is also known as Wat Kukut (wat without top) in reference to a gold top of the chedi which was removed long ago.
