Description
Wat Si Mongkol Tai (วัดศรีมงคลใต้) is a beautiful temple within walking distance of the Indochina Market in Mukdahan. It is across from the Chao Mae Song Nang Shrine, which provides a lovely view of the Mekong River that separates the province from the Laos border. It's also just a 7 minute walk from the unique Mukdahan Clock Tower, with its elegant Naga statues colorfully framing the white tower, located in the middle of the city's primary roundabout.
Wat Si Mongkol Tai is revered for being home to Phra Chao Luang, a historical brick and cement Buddha statue that was built before the establishment of Mukdahan. The statue is housed within the temple's Ubosot, outside of which are some of the most unusual guardian statues you will ever see at a Thai temple.
Usually, the guardian figures that stand at the temple gate or outside Ubosot or Viharn doors will be Naga serpents, Singha Lions, or Yaksha giants. But at Wat Si Mongkol Tai, we find figures which seem to be inspired by Isaan folk art and ancient Khmer history (Mukdahan having once been part of the Khmer empire). The steps leading up to the Ubosot are flanked by two black and gold statues which appear to be slender lions wearing a human mask. On the right is an oddly smiling elephant and on the left an elephant with the rough, rock carved human face.
To the left of the Ubosot's entrance is a large gong with a sign that says "ห้าม" (hahm). This is a Thai word that would be good for you to recognize, for it means "prohibit" and is applied to actions like smoking, drinking, and (in this case) striking the gong.
Wat Si Mongkol Tai (also spelled Wat Si Mongkhon Tai) is located about two hours from Sakon Nakhon city, and is a nice place to visit if you are taking a day trip to Mukdahan province.
