Wat Uttamaram วัดอุตตมาราม, Pasir Mas, Kelantan

Wat Uttamaram, Pasir Mas, Kelantan (29 April 2017)

Wat Uttamaram วัดอุตตมาราม

(GPS: 6.02182, 102.08718), known locally as Wat Bangsek, is a major Thai Buddhist temple in Kelantan. It is located in Kampung Teresek, in Repek, in the district of Jajahan Pasir Mas. Although there are many Thai Buddhist temples in Kelantan, the majority are concentrated in Jajahan Tumpat. Wat Uttamaram is one of the few major ones located outside of Tumpat.

The architecture of Wat Uttamaram reflects an eclectic fusion of various influences. There is a distinct Chinese influence in the architecture, though I have to say that the result looks quite similar to temples I have seen in Vietnam.

Wat Uttamaram was established by Buddhist abbot Jao Khun Wijaranyanmuni Cao Khun Khron, also called Luangpu Khron Ratchanaren, and known locally as Tok Raja ("Ratcha" is the Thai transcription for "Raja"). Born in Thailand in 1876, he established the temple in 1925. Tok Raja served as the Chief Abbot of Kelantan. It was not the only temple he established, for he also established Wat Uttamayanmuni in Choa Chu Kang, Singapore, 1n 1962.

Within the sprawling compound of Wat Uttamaram are numerous buildings and structures. In addition to the ordination hall, pavilion and bell tower, as well as many stupas, there is also a crematorium, quarters for monks and nuns, kitchen, dining hall, a football field, a futsal court and even a Thai language school.

My first visit to Wat Uttamaram was in 2006. I made a return visit eleven years later, in 2017. I had a difficult time finding this temple as my GPS took me down a country lane instead of using the main road. On the way out, I saw the correct road to take. This I will map out for your convenience, should you wish to make a visit.

Getting to Wat Uttamaram

Take Federal Route 3 out of Kota Bharu. At GPS 6.015797, 102.103560, turn right. At the next junction (GPS: 6.017193, 102.099742), turn right again, and at the next junction (GPS: 6.025928, 102.096033), turn left. After a distance of 1 km, you will arrive at the entrance to Wat Uttamaram on your left. Opening hours is from 7:00am to 10:00pm.