Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Thailand Nong Bua Wat Nong Bua Yai

Wat Nong Bua Yai

An underwater temple submerged for 20 years has resurfaced with an extreme drought.

Nong Bua, Thailand

Added By
Dax Ward
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
The entrance.   Dax Ward / Atlas Obscura User
Remains of stairs to the temple.   Dax Ward / Atlas Obscura User
The remains of a Buddha statue, a holy relic for local visitors.   Dax Ward / Atlas Obscura User
A monk walking the temple grounds.   Dax Ward / Atlas Obscura User
  Dax Ward / Atlas Obscura User
Photo on the temple gate of people visiting before it was submerged   Dax Ward / Atlas Obscura User
Temple remnants in the lake.   Dax Ward / Atlas Obscura User
  Dax Ward / Atlas Obscura User
Aerial view of the temple grounds.   Dax Ward / Atlas Obscura User
The temple entrance   Dax Ward / Atlas Obscura User
Much of the temple’s main Buddha statue still remains after 20 years under the lake.   Dax Ward / Atlas Obscura User
A man selling lottery tickets at the entrance.   Dax Ward / Atlas Obscura User
A vendor selling fish to release at the temple, a form of merit-making.   Dax Ward / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Wat Nong Bua Yai may be the most unusual Buddhist temple in Lopburi province. The temple was hidden underwater for 20 years after the construction of the nearby Pa Sak Cholasit Dam. But its remains have returned to the surface due to an extreme, decade-long drought in central Thailand.

Crumbling pillars supporting nothing, stone steps leading nowhere, a 13-foot headless Buddha statue, and other scattered ruins that were completely submerged during the rainy season can now be seen in full. (Check out this video to see some drone footage of the resurfaced temple.)

The reservoir is down to just 4 percent of its normal water levels, and though the local people are well aware of the serious impact of the drought, the risen temple is seen as a place of good fortune. Lottery tickets are sold at the entrance, fish and birds can be purchased for merit-release, and entrepreneurs have opened shops to sell the usual snacks and drinks. 

The irony of this newfound visitor attraction isn't lost on everyone, especially the local fishermen and farmers who have watched their means of earning a living recede with the water. According to Reuters, the dam originally helped irrigate 1.3 million acres of farmland. That's now down to just 3,000 acres after the long drought. 

Related Tags

Lakes Underwater Temples Climate Change Weather Hidden Water

Know Before You Go

The temple has gained a lot of local attention and these days is commonly packed with visitors.

Community Contributors

Added By

Dax Ward

Published

August 20, 2019

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbB61FIJIrA&feature=youtu.be
  • https://www.daxward.com/The-Un-flooded-Temple/
  • https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-drought-temple/drought-reveals-lost-temple-in-thailand-submerged-by-dam-idUSKCN1UW023
Wat Nong Bua Yai
Nong Bua
Thailand
14.870899, 101.068421

Nearby Places

Phra Prang Sam Yot

Tambon Tha Hin, Thailand

miles away

Bat Caves of Khao Yai National Park

Hin Tung, Thailand

miles away

The Elephant Kraal of Ayutthaya

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Thailand

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Thailand

Thailand

Asia

Places 125
Stories 13

Nearby Places

Phra Prang Sam Yot

Tambon Tha Hin, Thailand

miles away

Bat Caves of Khao Yai National Park

Hin Tung, Thailand

miles away

The Elephant Kraal of Ayutthaya

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Thailand

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Thailand

Thailand

Asia

Places 125
Stories 13

Related Places

  • Courtyard temple only entrance via cave

    Ipoh, Malaysia

    Tasik Cermin (Mirror Lake) Geopark

    Home to secret lakes and hidden temples.

  • Lake Abert from the south.  The highway is US 395.  Abert Rim on the skyline.

    Valley Falls, Oregon

    Lake Abert

    Oregon's only closed-basin hypersaline lake, an important stopover for migrating waterfowl, is in danger of drying up completely.

  • Seesicht

    Zug, Switzerland

    'Seesicht' ('Lake View')

    Walk down these stairs to get an underwater view of Switzerland's Lake Zug.

  • View of the exposed bridge looking north, 2008.

    Tallassee, Tennessee

    Abrams Creek Underwater Bridge

    Abandoned for 60 years, this submerged bridge was completely forgotten until the lake was drained.

  • The Lake Michigan crucifix under water and ice.

    Petoskey, Michigan

    Lake Michigan Crucifix

    Winter weather reveals a large Italian marble crucifix drowned beneath Lake Michigan.

  • No Name Lake.

    Oregon

    No Name Lake

    Unknown to many, this sparkling turquoise lake hides amid Oregon's snowcapped mountains.

  • Wreckage of the SS Francisco Morazan in winter.

    Leland, Michigan

    Wreck of the Francisco Morazan

    The rusted remains of an ill-fated freighter lie just off the coast of South Manitou Island in Lake Michigan.

  • Brahma Temple in Pushkar.

    Pushkar, India

    Pushkar Brahma Temple

    There are millions of temples in India, but only one prominent temple dedicated to the Hindu creator god.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.