Wat Hiran Ruchi Worawihan (Wat Noi)

Rating: 2.7/5 (38 votes)

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08:00 – 17:00

 

Wat Hiran Ruchi Worawihan (Wat Noi) If you’re looking for a Thonburi-side temple that offers the quiet charm of an old sanctuary, beautiful craftsmanship, and history you can actually feel on-site, Wat Hiran Ruchi Worawihan (Wat Noi) is one of those places that leaves you thinking you’ve gained more than just a merit-making visit. This temple has long served as a community center since the Thonburi era, and it still remains a space of faith, merit, and shared memories for people in the Intharaphithak–Hiran Ruchi neighborhood today.

 

The temple was originally called “Wat Noi” and was built around B.E. 2321 (1778 CE) during the Thonburi period by Chao Khrua Ngoen. Its story is also connected to the royal sphere through Somdet Phra Sri Suriyendramat (Queen Consort in the reign of King Rama II), giving the temple a dimension beyond being simply a local neighborhood temple—it reflects the social landscape and power networks of its time. Later, the temple underwent a major restoration during the reign of King Rama IV by Phraya Anuchit, and in B.E. 2397 (1854 CE) it was presented as a royal monastery. King Mongkut (Rama IV) graciously bestowed the new name “Wat Hiran Ruchi” and ordered the casting of a Buddha image made entirely of silver in the Mara-Vijaya posture to be enshrined in the ubosot as the principal Buddha image of the temple. This is why many visitors regard the temple as one with a clear identity in both history and art on Bangkok’s Thonburi side.

 

A walk through Wat Hiran Ruchi often begins at the ubosot, a brick-and-mortar structure that distinctly blends Thai and Chinese artistic character. The roof is covered with glazed tiles, while the stucco gable features delicate floral and bird motifs. The front porch, reminiscent of a Chinese pavilion, adds a gentle Chinese “flavor” to the Thai architectural framework in a way that feels both graceful and balanced. Around the exterior wall of the ubosot, you’ll also find boundary markers attached along the outside—a detail that architecture lovers often linger over, as it gives the building a strong ceremonial presence and clearly defined sacred space.

 

Inside the ubosot is the principal Buddha image in the Mara-Vijaya posture, with the left and right chief disciples enshrined alongside. The atmosphere is calm and formal, making it ideal for a focused, respectful visit rather than a quick photo stop. If you have time, look closely at the decorative details that reflect cultural blending during a transitional era—Thonburi has long been a place where Thai and Chinese cultures have met and merged, and this temple feels like a living record of that long relationship.

 

Another element that completes the temple’s overall picture is the viharn, a brick-and-mortar hall in a Thai style with a two-tiered roof, adorned with classic finials such as chofa, bai raka, and hang hong. Behind the ubosot stands a round-based stupa built in B.E. 2460 (1917 CE). There are also 6 “yo mum mai sip song” (twelve-cornered indented) stupas positioned at the corners of the inner wall. This area often feels especially quiet and atmospheric. Many people who come in the morning enjoy walking slowly here—it’s peaceful, breezy, and naturally suited for a simple moment of mindfulness.

 

Within the temple grounds, you’ll also find “Luang Pho Dam,” a cast Buddha image in the Mara-Vijaya posture enshrined in a sala. It’s a familiar focal point for locals who regularly come to pay respects. Another notable structure is the bell tower, a brick-and-mortar building in a four-porched castle-like form, which adds another layer of visual interest. Altogether, the temple does not feel like a frozen piece of the past, but a place that is actively cared for and continuously lived in—with merit-making, rituals, and an ongoing relationship between temple and community that still moves forward.

 

In terms of location, Wat Hiran Ruchi Worawihan (Wat Noi) is at 122 Intharaphithak Road, Hiran Ruchi Subdistrict, Thonburi District, Bangkok. It’s a convenient area for travel and easy to extend into a half-day trip, since it’s close to Wongwian Yai and many well-known food spots on the Thonburi side. Many visitors plan a relaxed visit—pay respects without rushing, then continue for a walk or a meal in nearby neighborhoods.

 

Getting There If you’re taking the BTS, you can get off around the Wongwian Yai or Krung Thonburi area, then continue by taxi or motorcycle taxi to Intharaphithak Road. Another option is taking the MRT and connecting into Thonburi via a convenient interchange for your route. There are also several bus lines in this area that pass near the temple’s access roads, making it practical even if you don’t drive. In general, weekday mornings to early afternoons are easier for getting around than the evening rush, when traffic is typically heavier.

 

 

A: Generally, yes. Morning to early afternoon is ideal for a comfortable walk around the temple.

 

A: 08:00 – 17:00.

 

A: It was originally called “Wat Noi” and was built around the Thonburi era.

 

A: The Thai-Chinese style ubosot, the stupa group behind the ubosot, and the temple’s community-centered atmosphere.

 

A: Yes. You can get off around Wongwian Yai or Krung Thonburi, then take a taxi or motorcycle taxi to Intharaphithak Road.

 

A: Dress modestly. Avoid very short or overly tight clothing, and keep quiet—especially around the ubosot.