Phra Phuttha Rangsi Sawatdirangsarnt

Rating: 2.4/5 (14 votes)

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.00 – 17.00

 

Phra Phuttha Rangsi Sawatdirangsarnt is a name many Min Buri locals instantly associate with the idea of a “city’s principal Buddha image” without needing a long explanation. For the community, this isn’t just a beautiful Buddha statue placed in a public garden. It feels like a nearby spiritual anchor—close enough that after finishing errands at the district office, you can simply cross the road to pay respects, or stop by on the way home to steady your mind after a hectic day. What makes this place meaningful is how directly it ties into Min Buri’s local story: it is both a revered guardian of the district and a symbol of how local faith was made accessible—so people can worship conveniently, without waiting for festivals or large ceremonies. You just come with intention, and that’s enough.

 

The story begins with Min Buri’s original principal Buddha image: a Mara-vijaya posture Buddha (subduing Mara), cast in nava-loha alloy, with a 9-inch lap width, created in B.E. 2470 (1927). It has long been an object of devotion for Min Buri residents. However, because the original is enshrined in a teakwood pavilion, it has not been convenient for large numbers of people to enter and worship in everyday life. This may sound like a small detail, but it became an important turning point. It shows that the community’s faith was not only about “having a sacred image,” but also about having a shared and practical space—easy and safe to access for working people, older visitors, and families who want to bring children without difficulty.

 

For that reason, a replica Buddha image was created—larger in scale, with a 39-inch lap width, made in B.E. 2543 (2000)—so that the public could worship the city’s principal image more conveniently and have a spiritual center in a district that was changing faster each year. What makes the story feel even more firmly grounded is that Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the Supreme Patriarch, graciously bestowed the name “Phra Phuttha Rangsi Sawatdirangsarnt.” The name itself carries auspicious meaning: “rangsi” evokes radiance and compassionate light, “sawatdi” suggests well-being and safety, and “rangsarnt” conveys the creation of something good and enduring in life.

 

The image is enshrined within a dedicated niche inside King Rama IX Commemorative Park in Min Buri, beside Saen Saep Canal, directly opposite the Min Buri District Office. The location works in a simple, practical way: you don’t have to try hard to get here. If you want to pay respects and then take a gentle walk, snap a few photos, feel the canal breeze, or find something to eat near the market, it can easily become a relaxed half-day outing. Min Buri has a distinct charm in how it still preserves a sense of community and canal-side life, even as Bangkok’s eastern side continues to grow and move quickly. In some corners, it still feels like a neighborhood with roots—something you can feel rather than just see.

 

When you come to worship, the best approach is to come unhurried. For many people, paying respects to the district’s principal Buddha image is about “resetting” the heart. Stand still for a moment, clarify your intention—what you’re here for, what you’re asking for, or simply that you want your mind to be calmer—then pay respects with quiet sincerity. There’s no need to cling to complicated ritual. Let intention and etiquette lead. Dress respectfully, speak softly, don’t block others, and help keep the area clean. This is a shared public space, and in a big city, the feeling of sacredness often lives in the “consideration” and “orderliness” that people collectively protect.

 

Another interesting angle is that the statue is not only a place where people come to make wishes. It also functions as a marker of “Min Buri-ness” in a shared cultural memory. You’ll see locals stop briefly before work, visit after the market, or bring family members for a casual photo. The atmosphere isn’t overly rigid, yet it still carries quietness within it. If you enjoy reading a city’s identity through small details, this spot shows how a district grows through roads, markets, and administration—and also through “faith,” which supports people’s lives in a natural, everyday way.

 

Getting There If you want a local-feel route and enjoy canal-side life, taking the Saen Saep Canal boat service is a distinctive option because the canal has long been an important transportation line for Bangkok’s eastern side. From a pier near the Min Buri area, continue on foot or by a short ride to King Rama IX Commemorative Park. Alternatively, public transport and private cars are more flexible—especially if you plan to visit multiple places in the same day—but you should allow extra time for rush-hour traffic. On weekends or when the market area is busy, some main roads can become more congested. The advantage of this location is that it sits close to key errand hubs in the district, making it easy to combine with a market visit or nearby attractions.

 

If you’re choosing a time to go, mornings tend to be the most comfortable—cooler weather and fewer crowds—ideal for a calm, focused visit. Afternoons are still possible, though Bangkok heat can be tiring, especially if you plan to walk to several spots. With a bit of planning, you can make a simple and satisfying itinerary: worship the district’s principal image → stroll in the park → visit the market → eat at a local favorite → or continue to Khwan-Riam Floating Market without it feeling too far.

 

Finally, if you ask who this place is best for, it truly fits both locals who want a nearby spiritual anchor and travelers who want to see another side of Bangkok—beyond the Phra Nakhon old town and the main tourist zones. This is eastern Bangkok with community roots, markets, canals, and faith woven naturally into everyday life. If you’re looking for a gentle outing that feels meaningful and real, “Phra Phuttha Rangsi Sawatdirangsarnt” is a soft, unforced starting point.

 

 

A: Information provided indicates it is open daily. For certainty, it’s best to follow the latest on-site or local announcements on the day you visit.

 

A: The listed hours are 08.00 – 17.00.

 

A: If you want a local experience, you can use the Saen Saep Canal boat and continue on foot or by a short ride into the park area. Public transport and private cars are also convenient, but you should allow extra time for rush-hour traffic.

 

A: Not necessarily. You can bring flowers or simple offerings according to your devotion. Dress respectfully, speak softly, and avoid blocking others while paying respects.

 

A: You can continue your trip to Min Buri Market, the Min Buri local museum, or head to Khwan-Riam Floating Market and Wat Bang Pheng Tai within the same day.