Description
Ham Bing Pracha Suk San Priest's Camp Site (สำนักสงฆ์ถ้ำบิ้งประชาสุขสันต์) is not only a Buddhist monastery, it also houses the temple named Wat Pa Tham Bing (วัดป่าถ้ำบิ้ง), which translated means Forest Temple of the Bing Cave. Note that the word "tham" (ถ้ำ) means cave, and that the name of the place on Google Maps should thus really be Tham Bing Pracha Suk San Priest's Camp Site. Such misspellings are unfortunately common on Google Maps.
Wat Pa Tham Bing is located near the Huai Nam Bo reservoir about 30 minutes from downtown Sakon Nakhon, along with two other Buddhist sites, the Khao Dan-Tham Suea Bureau of Monks and Wat Pracha Suksan Wararam.
The entrance to the Temple is quite striking, with large tree trunks forming the gate, and a large black cobra sculpture as the iconic protector, instead of the usual Naga serpents. The temple grounds are immaculately kept, and the buildings more modern than many other local temples. The Buddhist murals seen here are among the best in Sakon Nakhon, and include not only scenes of the Buddha, but famous Thai monks, and portraits of Thai Kings.
There is also a prominent pagoda holding the ashes of two individuals important to the temple, Khun Paw Samma Luangmanee and Khun Mae Udon Luangmanee. The area around the temple is lovely to walk around, providing plenty of shade, should you be visiting during the hot season.
