Wat Ram Poeng

Wat Ram Poeng (Tapotaram) is at the foot of Doi Kham in Suthep subdistrict, Chiang Mai. The temple's history traces it to the reign of King Yot Chiang Rai of Lan Na, more than five centuries ago, and explains the name as northern Thai for remembering with longing, chosen by the king in memory of his parents. It was later abandoned for long periods and was rebuilt from the 1970s. Its meditation centre, the Northern Insight Meditation Center, has taught Satipaṭṭhāna Vipassana to monks, novices and lay people, Thai and foreign, since 1973, when Luang Pu Thong Sirimangalo came to the temple; the centre was formally opened on 15 March 1975. The practice is to note the rising and falling of the abdomen while sitting and each step while walking. Foreign meditators do a 26-day basic course, reporting to a teacher each day, keeping the eight precepts and wearing white; those who finish it can then take a 10-day retreat, and those without time for the full course may stay for a shorter period of at least 10 days. As of 2026 there is a one-time fee of 500 baht for bed laundry and ceremony items, and donations are welcome on the last day. Phones and other electronic devices are switched off and kept in the temple's safe box during a course. The temple also keeps the Tipiṭaka in 19 languages.

How to apply

Apply to each centre directly. Panditarama Lumbini asks you to read its guidelines and then contact it to agree your dates; IBMC Kathmandu wants a signed form at least a week ahead.

What is taught here

Mahasi Sayadaw's method of noting the rise and fall of the abdomen and whatever else arises, practised in silent retreats in Myanmar, Nepal and beyond. Read about Mahasi noting.