Located about 668 kilometres from Bangkok, Wat Pumin is one of the 50 Northern temples that I visited recently with Silpakorn University Bangkok. Besides Wat Nong Bua, Wat Pumin is a very unusual Nan’s temple in Thailand. In the middle of the temple, four majestic golden Buddha statues of Maravijaya with their backs against one another facing the four directions. The doors are delicately carved in splendid designs by Lanna craftsmen.
Wat Phumin was built in Lanna-style by King Jetabutbrahim, the ruler of Nan in 1596. The temple underwent a major restoration in 1867 and the mural paintings in the interior have become the valued treasures of the temple. It is believed that the wall murals were painted by Chinese artists during this time. Blue is one of the primary colours extensively used in the mural paintings. The wall paintings, in Thai Lu style are considered highly valuable and depict legends concerning the Lord Buddha as well as local legends and the local way of life, which include native attires, weaving and commerce with foreign countries.