Rating: 3.8/5 (4 votes)

Open Days: Daily (recommended to call ahead to confirm)

Opening Hours: 08.00 – 17.00 (recommended to call ahead to confirm)

 

Guowatil Islam Mosque (Tuk Daeng / the Red Building) is a cultural spot on the Chao Phraya River in Khlong San. Many people have seen the striking red-brick structure in passing near the Memorial Bridge, but fewer know how dense its story really is. Historically, the “Red Building” served as a warehouse-office for the Royal Treasury under Somdet Chao Phraya Borom Maha Phichaiyat (Somdet Chao Phraya). Later, around 1 rai of land was donated for Muslims in this riverside community. At the time, local Muslims had no mosque for religious practice and had to travel to the Ban Somdet Mosque, a difficult route in those days through wild growth and sparse paths. For this reason, the mosque here began construction in 1859 (B.E. 2402).

 

Seen as a “deeper Bangkok” destination, the charm of the Red Building Mosque isn’t only its age or riverside photo angles. It stands as evidence of Bangkok’s ethnic diversity and the river-based economy that shaped communities along the Chao Phraya. Muslims in this area traditionally consisted of two major groups: those of Pattani descent and those of Indian descent. The Pattani-descended community was known for skilled craftsmanship, especially in gold and alloy work, while the Indian-descended community was strong in trade and business. This social structure—different strengths, shared growth—helped the community flourish and influenced how the mosque would later be managed.

 

One detail that makes Guowatil Islam Mosque distinctive is its clear two-part administration. The first is religious affairs, with the first imam recorded as Haji Muhammad Yusuf Al-Mahdawi. The second is business administration, rooted in the trading networks of the Indian line, with the first recorded leader being Haji Bai Nana. Family names associated with the community include Nana, Wong-Arya, Amornthat, Amantakul, Wongyangyu, Prapruet-Chob, Sasanakul, and other surnames that reflect kinship ties and economic networks in old Khlong San.

 

When the story turns to people, this community is also known for figures who rose to national prominence. One often-cited example is Nai Lek Nana, a former minister who donated approximately 4 rai of land along with buildings to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej for the creation of Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Boromrajchonani Commemorative Park. This area was historically associated with Somdet Ya (the Princess Mother) as a former residence in the past. Another notable figure is Nai Aree Wong-Arya, a former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior and Deputy Minister of Education. Their roles underline that this riverside Muslim community was not only commercial in character but also influential within the broader Thai society.

 

In atmosphere, the “Red Building” can feel like a threshold between eras. On one side is the calm simplicity of a place of worship; on the other is the lingering texture of Bangkok’s old riverside trade life. The red brick becomes a kind of symbol, standing out even amid the city’s movement. If you come in the morning or later afternoon, the light tends to bring out the depth of the brick surface, and the river breeze often makes the visit feel cooler than you might expect.

 

For visitors who are not coming for worship, it helps to approach this place first as a community’s sacred space. Dress modestly and respectfully, avoid very short or tight clothing, and try to avoid prayer times when people need quiet focus. If you would like to take photographs, it’s best to ask staff or caretakers first, especially for any interior or sensitive areas, so that visiting remains an act of respect rather than intrusion.

 

Getting There Guowatil Islam Mosque (Tuk Daeng) can be reached in several ways. If you’re coming via rail transit, you can head toward the Thonburi/Khlong San side and then continue by taxi or on foot into the lanes off Somdet Chao Phraya Road. By car or taxi, an easy reference point is the Memorial Bridge area and the riverside roads on the Khlong San side. Note that parts of the neighborhood lanes can be narrow, so it’s wise to allow extra time and move carefully, or park at larger nearby complexes/hotels and continue the last stretch by a short ride.

 

If you want a short “riverside faith-and-heritage walk,” you can start at the Red Building Mosque, then continue to the nearby Guan Yu Shrine (Khlong San), stop at Somdet Ya Park to rest and absorb the old-community atmosphere, and finish with a riverside cafe or creative space such as The Jam Factory, or head to ICONSIAM for food and an easy stroll. The good part is that you get to see Bangkok’s “many beliefs, many cultures” within a compact distance, without rushing.

 

In the end, the value of Guowatil Islam Mosque for travelers isn’t about being the “most beautiful” or the “most famous.” It may be the place that “tells the most.” It lets you picture Bangkok in an era when the Chao Phraya was the city’s main economic lifeline, see how migrants and locals gradually formed a community, and recognize how people with different strengths shaped a shared life. Above all, it shows a living faith placed quietly and gracefully at the heart of the city.

 

 

A: It is in Khlong San, Bangkok, near the Memorial Bridge area, accessed via Somdet Chao Phraya Road and the lane behind Somdet Ya Park.

 

A: Because the mosque is associated with a distinctive red-brick structure that has become the visual identity of this riverside site.

 

A: Based on community accounts and referenced write-ups, construction began in 1859 (B.E. 2402).

 

A: Generally yes, if you dress modestly, ask permission before taking photos, and avoid prayer times. If you hope to go inside, it’s recommended to call ahead.

 

A: Yes. You can call 02-438-2824 to confirm visiting details and the most suitable times.