If you’re thinking about doing a costume photoshoot as a souvenir from Chiang Mai in authentic Northern Thai surroundings, but don’t know how to organize it — or find professional studio prices too high — this info will be useful for you.
Very few foreign travelers know about Wat Ton Kwen, a temple located in the southeast of Chiang Mai. Until 2019, the temple was largely unknown among Thais as well and was familiar mainly to architects and historians.
Wat Ton Kwen is the only large temple in Chiang Mai that has survived in its original, untouched form since it was built in the mid-19th century, without being altered by later “improvements.” For this reason, it is considered the “standard” of Lanna architectural style.
Details
The temple was built in 1858 in Lanna style with Thai Lü influence and named after the ma-kwen (coffee plum) tree growing near the entrance. The temple complex includes a main prayer hall (viharn), surrounded on three sides by open pavilions (sala bat) used for gatherings and ceremonies, as well as a mondop, a pavilion built to house sacred objects. The entrance to the temple grounds is guarded by Singha (lion) statues. The viharn has a steep, three-tiered Lanna-style roof with stylized mythological Naga serpents, and its entrance staircase is guarded by large Naga figures. The facade is richly decorated with gilded wood carvings and colored mosaic inlays in traditional Lanna floral patterns.
The temple is extremely photogenic and cinematic. There is no concrete or tiled paving in the frame — the courtyard is covered with clean sand, which creates a beautiful contrast with the dark, aged wood of the buildings. Because the temple is surrounded by a low fence rather than dense jungle or tall buildings, the light here remains soft for most of the day.
Its authenticity shone in historical Lanna films, and in 2019, it starred in the hit TV drama Klin Ka Sa Long (The Scent of Ka Sa Long). Post-release, Thai fans flocked here, reenacting scenes as the gentle-yet-fierce Ka Sa Long and her male partner Doctor Tinnakrit.
Dubbed the “Ka Sa Long Effect” or “Klin Ka Sa Long Fever,” it sparked TikTok and Instagram trends: costume recreations at filming spots.
Locals capitalized fast. Opposite the entrance, rental shops popped up with Lanna outfits — patterned Pha Sin sarongs and white blouses for women, traditional loose-fitting shirts and trousers for men. On-site makeup and pro photographers are available too.
No matter if you’ve skipped the series, Wat Ton Kwen is unbeatable for a traditional Northern Thai photoshoot keepsake.
Prices
Costume rental starts from 140 THB per hour. A photographer costs about 850 THB per hour (the price does not depend on the number of people). If you come alone, the entire photoshoot will cost roughly 1,000 THB.
Location
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2A7DmZNEajgTcamRA
Wat Ton Kwen is located in the same general area as Royal Park Rajapruek, Wat Doi Kham, and Chiang Mai Night Safari — on the way to Grand Canyon Water Park (via Highway 119) or to Loha Prasat Sri Mueang Pong, also known as the White Temple (via Road 2691 toward Samoeng). You can easily combine a photoshoot with visits to these nearby attractions.