Laplae, the Town Where Lying Is Forbidden · Praying & Making Wishes
Pray and make wishes in a legendary town · Local beliefs and etiquette
Laplae is a legendary town long tied to honesty — "no lying" since ancient times. For the spiritually inclined and anyone who loves to pray and make wishes, it offers a full sense of faith and folklore. This article rounds up where to go to pray and make wishes, and the local beliefs and etiquette to follow — without superstition.
Faith-Based Travel in Laplae: How to Make Wishes the Right Way
Laplae's appeal for the spiritually inclined lies in being "the town where lying is forbidden," after the legend of the City of Widows handed down over time — a town said to endure through honesty. Visiting Laplae is like a reminder about truthful speech and keeping your word, which is the heart of the local belief. Read the full origin in our "Legend of Laplae" article.
For praying and making wishes, the town's centre of faith is Wat Phra Thaen Sila At, a royal temple that enshrines the sacred laterite slab. Nearby is Wat Phra Borommathat Thung Yang, which holds a relic of the Buddha. Both temples are not far from the resort and can be visited in a single day. The Laplae City Gate and the widow monument are legend-linked spots that many stop to pay respect to and photograph.
Our advice: pray and make wishes with a calm mind and good intentions, dress modestly for the temples, and watch your words in keeping with a town that honours honesty. This article presents the local beliefs and culture as they have been handed down — it does not prescribe specific mantras, rituals or wishes that have no basis — so the information stays accurate and respects each person's faith.
Main places to make wishes
Wat Phra Thaen · Wat Thung Yang
Town legend
City of Widows · no lying
Closest to the resort
Wat Phra Thaen 3 km (~5 min)
Best for
Faith travel, praying, making wishes
Faith Travel in Laplae: Where to Pray & Make Wishes
Wat Phra Thaen Sila At
A sacred landmark temple of Laplae — pay respect at the laterite slab and pray with a calm mind. Just 3 km from the resort, about a 5-minute drive, easy for morning merit and alms-giving. Read on in our "Wat Phra Thaen Sila At" article.
Wat Phra Borommathat Thung Yang
An ancient chedi enshrining a relic of the Buddha, in the heart of the old town of Thung Yang. It's near Wat Phra Thaen (about 4 km from the resort), and many like to pray to the relic on the same day.
Laplae City Gate & the widow monument
A Lanna-style city gate and a monument of a young woman carrying her child, evoking the legend of the City of Widows where lying is forbidden — a check-in spot tied to the town's tale of honesty. About 5 km from the resort.
Temples & shrines in Laplae town
Laplae has several old temples and shrines worth stopping at, reflecting the community's traditional way of faith. Easy to continue to from the city gate, praying and making wishes according to each place's beliefs.
Etiquette and practices for the spiritually inclined
Dress modestly for the temples, watch your words in keeping with the town where lying is forbidden, make your wishes with good intentions, and respect local customs. Add depth to the legend by reading our "Legend of Laplae" article and the "Laplae Merit-Making Trip" route.
Make Your Wishes in a Legendary Town, Then Stay at Hua Dum Resort
Hua Dum Resort is in Laplae, just 3 km from Wat Phra Thaen Sila At, about a 5-minute drive — easy to pray and make wishes morning or evening. Clean, quiet rooms ฿450–600 per night. Book ahead via LINE or call 099-5029339.