Wat Pah Pa Deng is a secluded monastery on a mountain slope just north of Chiang Mai. Being on the mountain slope the temperature is much cooler than in the rest of Thailand, which is very pleasant for a farang. There are currently 8 monks of which one called Long Pur Khet speaks english. He has been ordained for three months and does a bit of teaching and guidance on day to day life. When i walked in without prior contact they offered me a kuti pretty much right away. It is possible to join pindabat/almsround every morning and other than that sweeping at 15:30 is asked of you and some other minor things every now and then. Plenty of time for secluded practice in a great natural environment. Nearby is also Pa Pae meditation center which is also a good Wat to switch to if you don’t enjoy Wat Pah Pa Deng.
