Wat Thong Thammachat Worawihan

Rating: 3.4/5 (10 votes)

Open Days: Generally open daily (recommended to call ahead before visiting, especially during merit-making events or ceremonies)

Opening Hours: Generally 08:00 – 17:00 (recommended to call ahead before visiting)

 

Wat Thong Thammachat Worawihan is a royal temple in the Khlong San area that feels “peaceful without being lonely.” Even though it sits in inner Bangkok where the traffic rarely quiets down, the moment you step through the gate you can sense that this is still a living center of faith for the local community. The temple stands along Somdet Chao Phraya Road on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, and it is especially rewarding for visitors who love Thai art, thanks to the mural paintings inside the ordination hall. The murals read like a story you can enjoy at a glance, yet they carry real substance—Buddhist narratives, the Traiphum cosmology, and glimpses of everyday life from early Rattanakosin Bangkok.

 

Wat Thong Thammachat is a third-class royal temple of the worawihan type in Khlong San. It is an old temple with no clearly recorded evidence of who founded it or exactly when it was first established. Local tradition says it began as a commoners’ temple and was once known as “Wat Thong Bon,” because there were two temples with “Thong” in their names located close to each other. That simple, community-born name reflects a real relationship between the temple and the neighborhood—something rooted in lived experience rather than formality alone.

 

Many historical accounts and local narratives suggest that Wat Thong Thammachat may trace its origins back to the Ayutthaya period, before falling into decline over time and later regaining importance in the early Rattanakosin era. A key period was during the reign of King Rama I (Phra Phutthayotfa Chulalok), around 1787 (B.E. 2330), when Princess Ku (later Krom Luang Narintharatewi), together with Krom Muen Narintharaphithak, undertook major restoration work out of devotion, rebuilding and repairing the ordination hall, the sanctuary, and other monastic structures so the temple could return to a complete and dignified state.

 

One detail that makes the temple’s story easy to picture is the re-planning of the ordination hall. It is said that Krom Muen Narintharaphithak expanded the hall to make it wider and relocated it to better suit the temple’s grounds and practical use. Inside the ordination hall, the principal Buddha image in the Mara-vijaya posture was bestowed the name “Phra Phuttha Chinnachatimat Thammakhun,” and is accompanied by the two chief disciples on the left and right, placed on the same raised base. The overall atmosphere of worship feels orderly, calm, and unmistakably royal in tone.

 

What truly draws art lovers to Wat Thong Thammachat, however, is the mural painting inside the ordination hall. There is information that the murals were painted around 1831 (B.E. 2374), following the formal conventions popular in early Rattanakosin. Behind the principal Buddha image is a Traiphum cosmological scene, while the wall opposite depicts the episode of Mara’s temptation (Maraphon). The side walls include heavenly assemblies, additional scenes from the Buddha’s life, and depictions of everyday life from the Rattanakosin period. These layers of imagery mean a visit here does not end with a simple prayer—you also get to “see old Bangkok” through the eyes and hand of artists from that era.

 

If you look closely at the palette and technique, you will notice that the overall color structure leans strongly toward red, with green-and-red pairings used repeatedly in key areas. The painting approach is decorative, emphasizing rhythm, patterns, and carefully controlled composition. There is also a Chinese-style method for depicting mountains—rolling, wave-like forms shaded with lighter tones and edged along sharp planes in black. Even if parts of the murals have faded or suffered damage over time, that only underlines the value of conservation, because these paintings are a surviving piece of the “visual language” of early Bangkok.

 

Beyond the ordination hall, the temple’s viharn (sanctuary hall) is another worthwhile place to pay respects. Inside are ten stucco Buddha images in the Mara-vijaya posture, gilded and arranged on a stepped altar. One larger image anchors the set, while smaller images are placed in three descending rows beneath it, all in the same style. This ordered arrangement creates a gentle sense of calm and balance—ideal for visitors who want a quiet pause in the middle of the city.

 

From an architectural perspective, Wat Thong Thammachat also offers several supporting structures worth walking through, including multiple monks’ quarters said to date to the reign of King Rama V, a three-story bell tower whose form resembles a Western-style fort, and open pavilions positioned at the four corners of the inner boundary wall. These elements give the temple a readable layout and a sense that it is more than just a single hall—it is a complete monastery space shaped by different periods of Bangkok’s development.

 

Seen as a Bangkok attraction, Wat Thong Thammachat is a clear example of a temple that continues to coexist with the Khlong San community in an ongoing, practical way. It functions as a place for making merit, for ceremonies, and for gathering the neighborhood’s shared spirit. On days with temple events, the relationship between people and place becomes especially visible—the temple is not a backdrop, but a space the community still actively uses and cares for.

 

Getting There If you want to avoid the hassle of parking, the easiest approach is to use the BTS or other rail transit and then take a taxi or motorcycle taxi to Somdet Chao Phraya Road in the Khlong San area. Another option is to use city buses that serve Khlong San and nearby main roads, then walk a short distance. If you drive, it is best to allow extra time for traffic—especially during weekday rush hours—and it is wise to call ahead on the day you plan to visit to confirm the most suitable time for entry.

 

For a visit that includes both worship and learning, it helps to set aside at least 60 – 90 minutes. Begin with paying respects to the principal Buddha image in the ordination hall, then take your time reading the murals wall by wall, because this mural cycle is genuinely the temple’s highlight. After that, continue to the viharn to pay respects and stroll through the surrounding structures for a complete, unhurried experience.

 

 

A: It is in Khlong San on the Thonburi side, along Somdet Chao Phraya Road. From here you can easily connect to riverside attractions and nearby cultural spots.

 

A: The ordination-hall mural paintings that depict Traiphum cosmology, scenes from the Buddha’s life (including Mara’s temptation), heavenly assemblies, and period life in early Rattanakosin—plus the viharn with its tiered set of gilded stucco Buddha images.

 

A: There is information that they were painted around 1831 (B.E. 2374) and follow early Rattanakosin conventions.

 

A: If you mainly want to pay respects and walk around, 45 – 60 minutes is usually enough. If you want to study the murals slowly, plan 60 – 90 minutes.

 

A: Rail transit followed by a taxi or motorcycle taxi to Somdet Chao Phraya Road is often the simplest option. Buses are also workable if you are comfortable with a short walk afterward.

 

A: Tel. 02-439-5722