Description
The Sakon Nakhon village of Tha Rae is famously known as the largest Catholic community in Thailand. However, it is not only in Tha Rae that you can find Catholic churches (such as the famous St. Michael's Cathedral). There are also small Catholic temples (which incorporate some Thai Buddhist architectural themes) in other areas of Sakon Nakhon. For example, Wat Saint Pius X Phang Khwang Neua (วัดนักบุญปีโอที่10 พังขว้างเหนือ) is a charming, small Catholic temple on the right side of Route 22, going toward Udon Thani. It is only about 15 minutes outside of downtown, and not far from the temple Wat Noi Hua Khu.
While some elements of the temple, like the roofing and the pillars, have some similarity with a Thai Buddhist temple (in order to more naturally fit into the community) the statues of Jesus and Mary on the outside, and the cross on the roof, clearly signify that this is a Christian church.
