Wat Buppharam, Trat

Wat Buppharam - locally Wat Plai Klong - stands a couple of kilometres west of Trat town and is the oldest temple in the province, founded in the Ayutthaya period. It has survived largely unrestored, which is unusual and is the reason to go.

The compound is a group of low wooden buildings on brick bases under steep tiled roofs, weathered to grey-brown, set among old trees. The ordination hall keeps its original proportions and carved gable ends, and a small museum in one of the halls holds Buddha images, lacquerware, ceramics and other objects given to the temple over the centuries.

It is quiet, still fully in use, and receives few visitors - most people passing through Trat are on their way to the islands and never see it.