Wat Chakkrawat Rachawat Woramahawihan (Wat Sam Pluem)

Rating: 3.2/5 (5 votes)

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08:00 – 17:00

 

Wat Chakkrawat Rachawat Woramahawihan (Wat Sam Pluem) If you’re planning a walk around Yaowarat and want a quick reset away from the noise, this temple is a solid stop. It sits in the Chakkrawat area of Samphanthawong District, surrounded by old trading streets. A few blocks out, you’re back in lively food alleys and bustling markets, but once you step inside the temple grounds, everything feels noticeably quieter — like the city turns the volume down so you can breathe properly again.

 

This temple was originally a community temple known as Wat Nang Pluem, established during the Ayutthaya period. Later, it became known as Wat Sam Pluem. Chao Phraya Bodindecha (Sing Singhaseni) carried out a major restoration of the entire monastery complex around 2362 B.E., and subsequently offered it to King Rama III, who accepted it as a royal temple.

 

The temple later received the royal name Wat Chakkrawat Rachawat around 2368 B.E. Within the temple, there is a shrine and a statue of Chao Phraya Bodindecha. The sculptor is said to have modeled it based on a painted depiction of Bodindecha’s statue that Somdet Phra Harirak Ramathibodi (Nak Ong Duang), the King of Cambodia, had commissioned in the city of Oudong Meanchey.

 

Reading this history makes it clear the temple isn’t just a quick place to pay respects — it’s a living record of the city itself. It traces a path from Ayutthaya origins, through a major early Rattanakosin-era restoration, and into its present-day role right in the middle of one of Bangkok’s most important commercial districts. What makes it especially compelling is how the story of Chao Phraya Bodindecha connects to the wider region and Siam–Cambodia relations, highlighted by the statue’s origin story tied to Oudong Meanchey.

 

Another reason many people recognize this temple is its simple nickname — the “crocodile temple.” There is a pond/area associated with crocodiles that stands out as a memorable feature, and visitors often pause there with a mix of curiosity and excitement, especially families with children. It gives the temple a dual role: a place of devotion and, in a way, a small learning space for the local community as well. If you’re coming mainly for calm, it’s best to focus first on the architecture and the main worship areas, then visit the pond when it’s less crowded.

 

Inside the temple, one spot worth giving extra time to is the shrine and statue of Chao Phraya Bodindecha. It helps “lock in” the history in a way that feels tangible — not just a name you read, but a physical marker of patronage and a full-scale restoration in the past. Walking around and looking closely, you can feel how the city’s memory has been left behind in craftsmanship and in the space itself.

 

If you enjoy photography, the best atmosphere is usually in the morning to late morning. The light is softer, it’s less crowded, and it’s easy to continue on foot toward Yaowarat afterward without feeling drained. If your main plan is evening street food in Yaowarat, consider visiting the temple first and then heading out to eat, because the surrounding streets become much busier as the day goes on.

 

Getting There If you’re coming by MRT, you can get off at a nearby station and walk into Chakkrawat Road (the walk is part of the fun — old buildings, shops, and Yaowarat-side alleys along the way). Public buses that pass through the Chakkrawat/Yaowarat area are another option; routes mentioned by visitors include 1, 4, 7, and 25 (choose based on your starting point). If you drive, allow extra time for parking because this district is dense; public transport is generally the smoother choice.

 

If you need to contact the temple directly, a phone number published on the temple’s official page is 02-222-7742, which is useful for checking ceremony schedules, activities, or office contact details during working hours.

 

 

A: Generally, yes. It is commonly listed as open daily, and the frequently cited visiting hours are 08:00 – 17:00. If you plan to visit during special ceremonies, it’s a good idea to confirm ahead of time.

 

A: No. There is typically no entrance fee. You may donate according to your preference.

 

A: Its long history from the Ayutthaya period (formerly Wat Nang Pluem/Wat Sam Pluem), the major restoration linked to Chao Phraya Bodindecha, the shrine and statue connected to that history, and the well-known “crocodile temple” reputation tied to the crocodile pond/area.

 

A: 02-222-7742 is a published contact number associated with the temple’s official page.

 

A: Morning to late morning is usually the most comfortable — it’s quieter, the light is nice, and it’s easy to continue walking toward Yaowarat afterward.