Wat Si Don Chai Pa Tung Ngam (Wat Mae Kaet Noi), Chiang Mai’s Hidden Hell Garden
Wat Si Don Chai Pa Tung Ngam, also known as Wat Mae Kaet Noi, is a discreet Buddhist hell garden located north of Chiang Mai, far from the usual tourist routes.
Wat Si Don Chai Pa Tung Ngam: an unusual temple near Chiang Mai
About a ten-minute drive from Maejo University, this modest temple hides one of the most unusual religious sites in northern Thailand. The main temple building itself is unremarkable, but the real interest lies in what visitors discover once inside the grounds.
On the right-hand side, a small turnstile marks the entrance to the hell garden. Admission costs just 10 baht, a symbolic fee that gives access to a rare and little-visited site.
A Thai Buddhist hell garden off the beaten track
The garden is made up of graphic scenes depicting punishments inflicted on souls according to their sins, based on Buddhist beliefs about the afterlife. The statues are deliberately explicit: mutilated bodies, exaggerated expressions of pain and grotesque figures.
Some displays are activated by coin-operated machines. For 10 baht, a Thai-language recording starts, accompanied by lights and slight movements of the statues. The mechanisms are old and sometimes worn, but they contribute to the raw, almost unsettling atmosphere of the place.
Numerous phallic statues can also be seen throughout the garden, a common feature of popular Thai religious practices linked to fertility and protection.
A quieter section dedicated to merit and devotion
Alongside the infernal scenes, a smaller area presents the opposite message. Here, statues show acts of devotion: respect for monks, offerings, prayer and merit-making. The contrast is clear and intentional, reminding visitors of the moral path that, according to Buddhism, helps avoid rebirth in hell.
Adding to the surreal feeling, local children sometimes play football among the statues, blending everyday life with religious symbolism.
A hidden site absent from tourist guides
Wat Si Don Chai Pa Tung Ngam does not appear on most lists of Chiang Mai attractions. Many visitors discover it by chance. There are in fact two entrances: one through the temple itself and another directly from the road.
Quiet, rarely crowded and deeply unusual, this hell garden remains a small hidden gem for curious travellers.
Other hell gardens in Thailand
In a more modest form, this site recalls other well-known Thai hell gardens, including:
- Wat Phai Rong Wua near Suphanburi
- Wang Saen Suk, the famous hell garden in Bang Saen
Practical information for visiting Wat Mae Kaet Noi
Address: Wat Si Don Chai Pa Tung Ngam (Wat Mae Kaet Noi)
V2HP+6JM, Highway 1001, Pa Phai Subdistrict, San Sai District, Chiang Mai 50210
Entrance fee: 10 baht
Getting there: scooter or car recommended
Visit duration: 20–30 minutes
FAQ – Wat Si Don Chai Pa Tung Ngam
Where is Wat Si Don Chai Pa Tung Ngam located?
It is located in San Sai District, north of Chiang Mai, near Maejo University.
Why is it called a hell garden?
The site depicts Buddhist hells through visual scenes showing punishments linked to immoral behaviour.
Is the visit suitable for children?
Some scenes are graphic and may be disturbing. The visit is not recommended for sensitive children.
Is it a touristy place?
No, it remains largely unknown and is rarely crowded.
How much is the entrance fee?
Access to the hell garden costs 10 baht.
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