Wat Pa Phai, Luang Prabang

Entrance to Wat Pa Phai, Luang Prabang.

Wat Pa Phai, whose name is also transcribed as Wat Paa Phai and Vat Phapai, is a Laotian monastery in Luang Prabang. It is located on Sakkarine Road, on the corner with Savang Vatthana Road. The name Wat Pa Phai means Monastery of the Bamboo Forest. As a matter of observation, names of temples with the words "Pa" or "Pak" in it indicates that the temple or monastery is quite likelihood a retreat built deep in the forest. However, often enough, the towns eventually grow to surround these forest retreats, as in the case of Wat Pa Phai.

I visited Wat Pa Phai while I was Luang Prabang to document its sights. I started my walking exploration in the morning, and by the time I arrived at Wat Pa Phai, the sky was starting to clear, giving me the rich blue sky I was hoping for.

It is not known when Wat Pa Phai was first built. Or rather, should I say various records put the date differently. According to French historian Henri Parmentier, Wat Pa Phai was built in 1645. However, Luang Prabang historian Chao Khaminanh Vongkot Rattana placed its construction date much later, at 1815.

The sim is ornately decorated with murals in Lao-Thai style depicting everyday life in Laos. At Wat Pa Phai I struck up a conversation with a couple of friendly novice monks who were eager to practise their English.

The sim of Wat Pa Phai.

Side view of the sim of Wat Pa Phai.

Two novice monks who struck a conversation with me. They were eager to practise their English.

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