ThenA community temple in early Takua Pa
1793 (2336 BE) · 1842 (2385 BE) / 1793 · 1842
VerifiedWat Nikon Wararam, or Wat Yan Yao, was initially built in 1793 (2336 BE) by Khun Ta Kaew and Khun Ta Ram. The discovered evidence verifies the year and the names of the founders, but does not provide detailed reasons on what specific mission the temple was established for. Therefore, it should be viewed as a religious site of the local community forming in the Takua Pa basin, rather than tying it to stories without direct evidence.
The broader picture of Takua Pa town has a history as a port town and tin mining source, with maritime trade and various groups of people. However, no temple-specific evidence has been found to verify the role of Wat Nikon Wararam regarding tin mines, maritime trade, Hokkien Chinese people, or the governor system. Thus, no conclusions are made beyond the data sources.
BeforeFrom an ancient temple to a tsunami memorial and land management
1842 (2385 BE) · 2022 (2565 BE) / 1842 · 2022
VerifiedThe temple received the royal granting of the land for a temple in 1842 (2385 BE), which is a crucial piece of evidence that the religious site was certified as an area for monastic activities according to the Sangha's tradition at the time. However, no documents have been found specifying major restorations, changes in ownership, or periods of abandonment.
After the tsunami on December 26, 2004 (2547 BE), the temple was used as a gathering place for the bodies of disaster victims awaiting forensic identification. This temporary role made Wat Yan Yao a part of Takua Pa's disaster response history. Later, on October 30, 2022 (2565 BE), the Samnakngan Phraphutthasatsana Changwat Phangnga (Phang Nga Provincial Office of Buddhism) participated in handing over the land title deed document to the abbot, serving as evidence of land ownership management in the modern era.
NowA temple still serving as a centre for faith and public works
2569 / 2026
VerifiedThe latest discovered evidence verifies that the temple is still in use, with Phra Khru Nikon Thammasophit as the abbot, and has monks in residence during the Buddhist Lent. The temple database indicates the organization of the united Kathina ceremony in 2024 (2567 BE) and 2025 (2568 BE), while government/local news verifies the temple's participation in district and provincial level activities.
In recent years, the temple has been both a space for religious activities and a public space: in 2024 (2567 BE) it was used as a donation center to help northern flood victims, and there was an inspection visit for the Temple, People, State, Creating Happiness project as a southern regional model temple. However, no data has been found verifying the opening and closing hours for tourists, detailed building conditions, or temple-specific restoration projects in 2026 (2569 BE).
