Wat Samet Pho Si is located at No. 21, Ban Samet Pho Si, Village No. 5, Khomong Subdistrict, Tha Mai District, Chanthaburi Province. It is a local Buddhist temple under the Maha Nikaya sect, situated on a land area of 7 rai, 2 ngan, and 68 square wah (approximately 11,072 square meters), with land title deed No. 28028. The temple is bordered by private land to the north and east, the temple’s sacred land to the south, and a public canal to the west. Additionally, the temple has four parcels of sacred land covering 9 rai and 69 square wah (approximately 15,576 square meters), with land title deeds No. 26714, 22369, 26972, and 39.

 

The temple's buildings include an ordination hall (Ubosot) measuring 8 meters wide and 15 meters long, built in 1817 as a half-brick, half-wood structure. The sermon hall (Sala Kan Prian) is 12 meters wide and 17 meters long, constructed in 1972. The prayer hall measures 14 meters by 17 meters and was built in 1957 entirely of wood. The monk residences consist of four buildings: three wooden houses and one concrete building. The viharn (worship hall) is a reinforced concrete structure measuring 9 meters by 9 meters. A multi-purpose hall, built in 1995, is 18 meters wide and 36 meters long, also made of reinforced concrete. There are also two wooden merit-making halls, a bell tower, sacred objects, and the principal Buddha image in the Ubosot.

 

Wat Samet Pho Si was founded in 1807 and received royal recognition of its sacred boundary (Wisungkhamasima) in 1829, which measures 28 meters wide and 40 meters long. Over the years, the temple has been led by a series of abbots, including Phra Pri, Phra Piak, Phra Khiao, Phra Sai, Phra Prem, Phra Kru Udom Sangkhakit (1972), Phra Athikan Khuan Kanutsilo (1972–1978), Phra Thoeng (1978–1980), Phra Suwan (1981–1983), Phra Athikan Weerayut Chanuthakaro (1983–1991), and Phra Athikan Yongyut Chittammo (1991–present).

 

The temple also emphasizes education, hosting a Dhamma school (Pariyatti School, Dhamma track) established in 1969, providing religious education for novice monks and the local community. This makes Wat Samet Pho Si not only a center of spiritual practice but also a hub of learning about Buddhism and local traditions.

 

With a history spanning over 250 years, Wat Samet Pho Si is one of the most significant temples in Chanthaburi Province. Its combination of traditional wooden architecture and modern concrete structures reflects the preservation of cultural identity while adapting to contemporary needs. The tranquil environment, complemented by the surrounding canal, provides an ideal place for meditation, religious ceremonies, and community activities, attracting visitors interested in history, art, and local culture.

 

Wat Samet Pho Si is therefore more than just a religious center; it is a cultural landmark that demonstrates the growth and continuity of the local community through the preservation of historic buildings and ongoing religious and cultural activities, making it an important destination in Chanthaburi for those interested in religion, history, and Thai heritage.