Frank Michel Cycling - Touring Discovery and Adventure in Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand

 Discovering Wat Prasat Tham (Wat Mae Khak) Temple in Ban Mae Khak - Hang Dong - Chiang Mai Video in YouTube Wat Prasat Tham Temple (Wat Mae Khak) in Ban Mae Khak – Hang Dong – Chiang mai Nestled in the Hang Dong District of Chiang Mai, Thailand, Wat Prasat Tham Temple, locally and affectionately known as Wat Mae Khak. Is a deeply revered Lanna temple steeped in history and resilience. Established in 2309 BE (Buddhist era) or 1766 CE (Gregorian Calender) along the banks of the Mae Mueang Jom Tong canal, the temple originally served as a spiritual anchor for the local community under the name Wat Sri Don Tong. However, nature would test the community's dedication; a severe flash flood caused the Mae Tha Chang River to shift its course, relentlessly eroding the riverbanks and destroying nearly half of the temple's original grounds, including its southern pavilion and walls.   Undeterred, the abbot and villagers embarked on a decades-long journey of relocation and rebui...

A quick reminder  on how to watch the video using the automatic translation service offered by YouTube for currently available languages. Thank you so much and enjoy the videos frankmichel.cycling@gmail.com

  Frank Michel Cycling discovering Wat Thung Fa Ham Temple in Nam Bo Luang - San Pa Tong - Chiang Mai in the wonderful Northern Thailand Video in YouTube Wat Thung Fa Ham is a community-focused Buddhist temple located in the rural Nam Bo Luang  sub-district of San Pa Tong, Chiang Mai. It serves as a spiritual and cultural hub for the local Lanna community, offering merit-making activities, traditional celebrations, and a peaceful glimpse into village life. The community surrounding the temple was established around 1931 by early settlers who migrated to the fertile area near the Nam Bo Luang and Mae Wang districts. The name Thung Fa Ham, reflects the region's agricultural past and natural landscape. The temple began as a humble community worship space established by devout Buddhist villagers. Because these early settlements were agricultural, the initial structures were simple and heavily utilized local wood and natural materials. Wat Thung Fa Ham is situated in a highly...

Discovering Wat Chaimongkol (San Pong) Temple  in Don Pao - Mae Wang - Chiang Mai Northern Thailand  Video - YouTube Nestled in this pleasant and quiet area right on the border of Tambon Ban Kat and Tambon Don Pao in Chiang Mai’s Mae Wang District. Wat Chaimongkol San Pong stands as a vital spiritual and cultural anchor for the rural village of Ban San Pong. Established to serve the surrounding agricultural community, the temple is deeply rooted in local Buddhist history and daily village life. Standing as a harmonious bridge between the sacred past and the contemporary present, the temple’s Viharn (assembly hall) and surrounding structures showcase a breathtaking evolution of regional design. They proudly exhibit a distinct applied Lanna architectural style, where classic northern Thai tiered roofs, with their sweeping, multi-tiered gables and ornate, upward-pointing chofah finials, are seamlessly integrated with modern concrete and reinforced woodwork. This thoughtfu...

August morning bike ride in Mae Wang - Chiang Mai  And to all friends, best regards from Chiang Mai - Northern Thailand always happy ride frankmichel.cycling@gmail.com

Frank Michel Cycling - Chiang Mai & Northern Thailand  What touring cycling means to me Video 4K spatial effect always happy ride frankmichel.cycling@gmail.com

 Today very nice morning bike ride in the plains of San Pa Tong  to discover the Wat Puang Sanuk Temple.  below link for the video in YouTube Wat Puang Sanuk Temple - Ban Klang – San Pa Tong – Chiang Mai Nestled in the Ban Klang subdistrict of San Pa Tong, Chiang Mai, Wat Puang Sanuk Temple stands as a profound testament to the region’s storied past. Its spiritual heritage is inextricably linked to the nearby ruins of Wiang Tha Kan, an ancient, fortified settlement of the Hariphunchai Kingdom that has thrived for over a millennium. As a pillar of this historic landscape, the temple served as a sanctuary for those dwelling within the walls of the ancient city, maintaining its significance through the subsequent Lanna era and into the present day. Like many historic community temples in the region, the temple’s name, steeped in the unique dialect and cultural nuances of the local village, reflects a deep-seated connection to the identity of the Ban Klang community. ...

 Discovering Wat Si Lom Temple, in Hang Dong - Chiang Mai Northern Thailand Here below Video in YouTube Wat Si Lom Temple is a quiet, local Buddhist temple located in Han Kaeo, Hang Dong, Chiang Mai offering a peaceful escape from the bustling pace of everyday life. This temple is defined by its quiet, contemplative atmosphere and beautifully maintained grounds. Visitors are greeted by the gentle rustle of trees and the graceful architecture that reflects a deep sense of historical tranquility. While there is no single, heavily documented manuscript detailing its exact founding date and,  because it is a community-focused neighborhood monastery rather than a major tourist attraction. Its formal historical texts remain part of the oral and village traditions of the Hang Dong region,  rather than being widely published. The temple is a living artifact of the region’s storied heritage, showcasing classic Lanna and Shan architectural elements that reflect the district...

  From my morning ride discovering Wat Tha Phong Temple in Ban Mae - San Pa Tong - Chiang Mai in the Northern Thailand. Here video in YouTube and it is always a happy ride frankmichel.cycling@gmail.com

  video in YouTube here below Nestled in the tranquil landscapes of San Pa Tong, Chiang Mai, Wat Makham Luang stands as a timeless sanctuary rooted in the ancient glory of the Lanna Kingdom. The exact foundation of the temple predates modern records, dating back centuries, during the prosperous times of the Lanna Kingdom. Wat Makham Luang has long been a spiritual center for the surrounding San Pa Tong community. Originally known as Wat Thaen Phra Ngam, this historic site has served for centuries as a vital spiritual pillar and cultural anchor for the local community, which includes a significant population of Pa Phlu, Thai Yong (often called Kon Yong), an ethnic group tracing its heritage back to Muang Yong in Shan State, Myanmar. This ethnic group migrated to northern Thailand more than 200 years ago. Stepping onto the temple grounds, visitors are immediately enveloped in a profound sense of peace, as if transported to another dimension where the modern world fades into a s...