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This is an ancient site. Historical records indicate that the Wat is the oldest in Suphan Buri province, with an age of more than a thousand year.
There is a large Buddha image, 23.48 m. tall, in the style of Pa Leyyaka, built with bricks and cement. The artwork is of the U Thong period and there is a path that has been used for making repairs to the Buddha image throughout its history. The local people call the image Luang Pho To Wat Pa or Large Honourable Father of the Forest Monastery. It is a sacred image, and the people of Suphan Buri come and pay their respects to it at least once in their lives, as an act of good fortune.
Formerly, there was no Vihara, no structure housing the image.
King Mongkut (1851-1868) graciously asked Phra Ya Nikon Bodin to restore the Wat and the Buddha image. Two new Buddha images were fashioned as well, and placed in the Vihara in front of Luang Pho To, one each on the right and the left. The insignia of King Mongkut is affixed to the face of the Vihara.
Wat Pa Le Lai has been designated Royal Temple, Third Level, Woravihan Class.
Phra Thamma Maha Wiranuwat, the abbot since 1984, built the Vihan Rai (the complex surrounding the Vihara) and the walls along the road.
Every day a great many people, tourists as well as locals come to pay their respects.
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