Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham

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  • Address
    Th Sisvangvong, Old Town

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Inaugurated in either 1821 or 1797, Wat Mai succeeded Wat Aham as the residence of the Sangkharat until that position moved to Vientiane. The five-tiered roof of the wooden sǐm (ordination hall) follows the standard local style, but the roofed front veranda, with its gables angled towards the sides of the chapel rather than the front, is unusual.

Behind the main sǐm stands an open-sided shelter housing two long racing boats. These slender, graceful craft are brought out during Bun Pi Mai Lao (Lao New Year) in April and again in October during Bun Nam (Water Festival). Heavily decorated with flower garlands, each boat will hold up to 50 rowers, plus a coxswain.

Wat Mai was spared destruction by the Chinese Haw, who reportedly found the sǐm too beautiful to harm. Most of the other 20 or so buildings are newer.

The Pha Bang, which is normally housed in the Royal Palace Museum, is brought here and put on public display in a temporary pavilion in front of the sǐm at Wat Mai during the Bun Pi Mai Lao celebrations.