Rating: 3.4/5 (26 votes)

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.00 – 16.00

 

Chao Pho Khao Ka Shrine is a sacred shrine revered by local communities in Tha Takiap District, Chachoengsao, as a “spiritual anchor of the community.” It is also a meaningful stop for faith-based travelers visiting the Khlong Siyad Reservoir area, because the surrounding landscape of water and mountains creates a calm, unhurried atmosphere that makes worship feel more peaceful and focused than in crowded places.

 

What makes Chao Pho Khao Ka Shrine compelling is not only its sacred reputation in local belief, but also its core narrative that links to the Thonburi period under King Taksin the Great, along with an annual community tradition that has been passed down continuously. The key event is the collective worship or ritual offering held every year on the 3rd waxing moon of the 3rd lunar month. For visitors, this is the time when the community’s unity and the disciplined rhythm of local ritual practice can be experienced most clearly.

 

If you are looking for a Chachoengsao travel spot with a perspective beyond the city center, Chao Pho Khao Ka Shrine fits travelers who want both meaning and atmosphere. You can stop to pay respects for peace of mind, learn about the belief system of Tha Takiap locals, and continue your trip to Khlong Siyad Reservoir or nearby nature sites in the same day, creating a balanced itinerary that blends culture and relaxation.

 

In terms of landscape, Tha Takiap is distinctly rural with strong natural character. As Khlong Siyad Reservoir has become a key landmark for travel in the area, the shrine is often remembered together with the imagery of water and mountain ridgelines. Many visitors describe a similar feeling: arriving, standing in the breeze, and looking out over the water helps them leave daily noise behind, before moving into worship with the quiet respect that a faith-based place naturally invites.

 

The central story that has made Chao Pho Khao Ka Shrine widely respected is the belief that “Chao Pho Khao Ka” was a soldier during the reign of King Taksin the Great of Thonburi. His original hometown is unclear, but the community consistently remembers a key episode: when King Taksin’s army marched through the area and established a camp near Ban Tha Khan, Chao Pho Khao Ka fell ill and passed away there. Fellow soldiers then set up a shrine near his burial place as a memorial and as a site where people could pay respects according to their faith.

 

Over time, the shrine’s story did not remain only as a memorial to a single soldier. It gained deeper meaning through local experiences and accounts in which villagers believe Chao Pho Khao Ka “showed spiritual power” in ways that differ from person to person. What remains consistent is the shared feeling that he protects the area, serves as a spiritual refuge, and helps people maintain clarity and composure when facing everyday difficulties. This enduring faith is why the shrine continues to hold an active role in community life, beyond being simply a place to visit and bow.

 

From a local cultural perspective, guardian shrines often reflect the relationship between people, landscape, and history. Chao Pho Khao Ka Shrine is a clear example because it sits within a context where livelihoods depend on nature, agriculture, rural travel routes, and community cooperation. In this setting, belief is not abstract. It becomes part of how life is organized and how relationships within Tha Takiap society are maintained with stability and mutual respect.

 

Another reason the shrine is worth visiting is that it has a shared annual “appointment of faith.” The community holds a collective worship or offering ceremony every year on the 3rd waxing moon of the 3rd lunar month (Thai lunar calendar). In many years, this falls around late winter into early summer, roughly February or March. For locals, it is not merely an event for liveliness, but a day when people intentionally gather to show reverence, make wishes, and reaffirm community unity.

 

If you plan to visit during the annual ceremony, expect larger crowds and stricter space organization so the rituals can proceed smoothly. Arriving early, driving carefully, following local traffic and parking guidance, and taking your turn without rushing will help you experience the event comfortably and respectfully, without disrupting those who come with strong devotion.

 

On regular days, worship at Chao Pho Khao Ka Shrine is typically simple and approachable, without complex steps that might intimidate first-time visitors. The key is politeness and sincerity. You may offer flowers or appropriate items, set your intention by reflecting on the virtues and sacrifice associated with the revered figure, and then make a clear wish without exaggerated wording. The heart of wishing is sincerity and personal responsibility for what you ask for.

 

Many visitors come to ask for safety in travel, stability in work, the ability to overcome obstacles with mindfulness, and clarity when making major life decisions. This is because the image of a soldier is often associated with endurance, discipline, and courage. In that sense, coming to the shrine also functions as a reminder to return to life with steadiness and resilience rather than being easily shaken by uncertainty.

 

Etiquette helps preserve the sacred atmosphere for everyone. Dress modestly, speak softly, avoid loud behavior, do not climb on or touch shrine structures unnecessarily, and keep the area clean. This is especially important because Tha Takiap and the Khlong Siyad zone are environmentally sensitive natural areas. Littering or creating mess directly affects both local life and the overall quality of the destination.

 

If you enjoy photography, the shrine tends to offer a calm, understated visual tone rather than something flashy. Morning and late afternoon light is usually softer and gives the surrounding scenery more depth, especially when you frame both water and mountain elements. Even so, photos should be taken respectfully. Avoid close-up shots of worshippers’ faces without permission, and do not block pathways or disturb others during worship.

 

Getting There Visiting Chao Pho Khao Ka Shrine is most convenient by private car, because Tha Takiap District has dispersed attractions, and having your own vehicle makes it easier to continue to Khlong Siyad Reservoir, viewpoints, or restaurants near the dam with flexibility. From Chachoengsao city, drive toward Tha Takiap District and follow routes to the Khlong Siyad Reservoir zone using the shrine location. As you approach, reduce speed because community roads and local pedestrian movement are common in the area.

 

If traveling by public transport, it is generally best to reach Chachoengsao city first, then connect onward to Tha Takiap based on the transport services available at that time, which may vary by day and season. The most important point is to plan both your arrival and return clearly, especially if you visit in the evening or during an event day. If you plan multiple stops in one day, private car travel remains the most practical option.

 

To maximize a trip in the Tha Takiap area, many travelers follow a simple order: start by paying respects at Chao Pho Khao Ka Shrine for peace of mind, then continue to enjoy the atmosphere at Khlong Siyad Reservoir, followed by a nature stop such as Bo Sai Waterfall (in the appropriate season), and then finish with local food near the dam or a cafe in the area. If you prefer a slower pace, staying overnight can make the trip more relaxed and complete.

 

For safety, if you visit during the rainy season, check road conditions and plan travel time carefully, as some stretches may be slippery and visibility can be reduced. If you plan to visit a waterfall or water-related site, be mindful of currents and follow local guidance strictly. Nature travel in this zone is most enjoyable when you do not force the schedule against weather conditions and you avoid risks near reservoir edges.

 

In summary, Chao Pho Khao Ka Shrine is a Chachoengsao destination that feels “peaceful yet story-rich.” You can learn about a belief narrative linked to the Thonburi era, witness an annual community ceremony anchored in the lunar calendar, and rest your mind amid the natural setting of the Khlong Siyad Reservoir zone. A visit here is not only a stop to pray, but also a way to understand Tha Takiap as a community that continues to preserve its shared memory in a tangible, living form.

 

 

A: It is located in Tha Takiap Subdistrict, Tha Takiap District, Chachoengsao, in the Khlong Siyad Reservoir zone. You can use Plus Code: CMX5+X39 for convenient navigation.

 

A: It is generally open daily around 08.00 – 16.00. If you plan to visit on a ceremony day or during busy periods, checking the latest local details before travel is recommended.

 

A: Local tradition says Chao Pho Khao Ka was a soldier in the Thonburi era. When King Taksin’s army camped near Ban Tha Khan, he fell ill and died. Fellow soldiers established a shrine near the burial site, and the community has revered it since then.

 

A: The community holds the collective worship/offering ceremony every year on the 3rd waxing moon of the 3rd lunar month (Thai lunar calendar), which often falls around February or March in many years.

 

A: Dress modestly, speak softly, avoid disturbing other worshippers, do not litter, and avoid close-up photos of other visitors without permission to preserve the calm atmosphere of the shrine.

 

A: You can continue to Khlong Siyad Reservoir, Bo Sai Waterfall (Si Yad Dam area), or nearby temples, and finish with local food near the dam or a cafe in the area. It works well as a one-day trip or a one-night stay.

 

A: You can contact the Tha Takiap Subdistrict Administrative Organization at 091-148-9598 or the Khlong Siyad Irrigation Project at 0-3808-6289.