Kamalul Islam Mosque (Suehra Sai Kong Din)

Rating: 3.6/5 (7 votes)

Open Days: Daily (it is recommended to contact the mosque in advance to confirm prayer times and activities before visiting)

Opening Hours: According to adhan times and mosque activities – please call ahead to confirm

 

Kamalul Islam Mosque (Suehra Sai Kong Din) is one of the long-established community mosques in eastern Bangkok, deeply connected to the formation of a canal-side settlement and the everyday way of life of local residents over generations. Many people know it by its well-known local name, “Suehra Sai Kong Din,” which is not simply a memorable nickname, but a phrase that takes us back to an era when the community relied on agriculture and waterways as the main routes of movement and livelihood.

 

Seen through the lens of “Bangkok attractions,” this mosque may not be a crowded landmark like a market or a major city icon. Instead, it offers a quieter kind of charm that gradually draws you in through local history, preserved elements of the older structure, and the calm, green surroundings that make many visitors feel it is more a place to rest the mind than a typical check-in spot. Visiting here suits people who want to see “another layer of Bangkok” where community roots and shared memories are still very much alive.

 

According to stories passed down in the area, the ancestors of the Muslim community here migrated from Kedah (Sai Buri), in southern Thailand, during the early Rattanakosin period, in the reign of King Nangklao (Rama III). People worked together to clear dense, overgrown forest until it became open fields and farmland. They then settled, built homes, and gradually formed a large village. In the early years, the community’s main livelihood was agriculture, especially rice farming, which remains an important image of the area before urban development expanded into what we see today.

 

Once the community had a shared center, a “mosque” naturally emerged as both the religious hub and the village’s central gathering point. In the earliest period, a traditional Thai-style house was used for Friday religious rites and as a focal point for the village. A respected local religious scholar known as “Bahem” played an important role in this early phase. Later, land was dedicated as waqf to build a proper prayer house, with several donors remembered in local accounts. Over time, a significant amount of land was gathered to establish and expand the religious space to match the growing number of worshippers.

 

One of the moments that made this mosque truly “known by name” was when the community planned to expand the building. People helped carry and collect sand into a large pile. The sand remained piled for a long time, so travelers passing by saw it repeatedly and began calling the area “Sai Kong Din” (literally, a pile of sand and soil). The story became even more strongly remembered during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), when he traveled along Khlong Saen Saep by boat in 1907 (B.E. 2450). He reportedly stopped in this area while the mosque was still a modest wooden structure and noticed the large sand pile prepared for construction. He asked why the sand was there, and when the reply was that it was for building the prayer house, the name “Suehra Sai Kong Din” became widely used and has continued to represent the identity of the area to this day.

 

As time passed, the mosque building was developed and expanded continuously. A notable approach was constructing a newer structure “around” the older one, allowing the mosque to accommodate more people while preserving as much of the original as possible. Details that the community is proud of and often speaks about include traditional materials and features: aged roof tiles that have endured sun and rain for many decades, a specially commissioned floor designed to match the original style, teak ceilings and large timber beams made from whole logs that support the structure, and arched doors and windows arranged in long rows on both sides. These elements create a clear visual boundary between the “original building zone” and the “expanded space” in a way that feels both respectful and intentional.

 

Inside the mosque, one outstanding feature is the carved teak minbar, regarded by the community as a valuable historical piece dating back to the era of Rama V. It has been maintained and restored so it can still be used in the present day. Expansion has significantly increased the mosque’s capacity, and the mosque continues to serve as a center for a wide range of activities – both religious and social – which is the true heart of a community mosque.

 

Another charm of Suehra Sai Kong Din is the “atmosphere around the mosque.” Local descriptions speak of a well-kept garden with lush green trees arranged beautifully to welcome visitors. At the front, there is a waterway that supports community life, with many fish of various kinds swimming up as people line up to feed them. Along the walkway, a natural green-toned roof provides shade and comfort to the eyes, while hanging banyan roots create a distinctive canopy-like feel. For many people, this is why the mosque is not only a place of worship, but also a place where one can genuinely “rest the mind” amid the pace of city life.

 

The relationship between the mosque and “education” is another dimension that adds meaning to the place. Local accounts mention Suehra Sai Kong Din School across the canal, and the establishment of the Kamalul Islam Community Early Childhood Development Center under the mosque’s administration. The idea is to prepare young children before entering primary school by integrating general education and religious learning, while also weaving local cultural context into the curriculum. This reflects a community vision that is not limited to “today,” but invests systematically in “the next generation.”

 

For first-time visitors, the key to a smooth visit is respecting basic mosque etiquette: dress modestly and appropriately, maintain cleanliness, avoid loud noise, place shoes in designated areas, and avoid walking in front of someone who is praying. If you are not Muslim and would like to visit, it is recommended to call in advance to ask about appropriate times, as prayer periods and certain activities may require extra privacy and quiet.

 

Getting There If traveling by private vehicle, you can set your map to Sai Kong Din Tai and use the main road into “Soi Pracha Ruamjai 48,” then drive into the community toward the mosque. It is recommended to open a navigation map before departing to choose the least congested route. For public transportation, you can get off at a major point in the Min Buri or Khlong Sam Wa area and then continue by taxi or motorcycle taxi into the community, because the final segment is often made up of smaller lanes and can involve a long walk, especially in hot weather.

 

If you want a “smooth” one-day visit to Suehra Sai Kong Din, a practical local-style plan is to think in a simple flow: pray – eat – run errands/visit nearby places – return. If you need to stay overnight, you can add accommodations in the Min Buri, Ramkhamhaeng, or Hua Mak zones, which are typically easy to reach. Having a short backup list of halal food options and nearby stays can reduce stress, especially on rainy days or when traffic is heavy.

 

 

A: It is in the Sai Kong Din Tai area, Khlong Sam Wa District. Community listings place it in Soi Pracha Ruamjai 48, Pracha Ruamjai Road, Sai Kong Din Tai, Bangkok.

 

A: The verified contact number is 02-918-9779.

 

A: The local name comes from stories about a large sand pile prepared for mosque construction, and an account from 1907 (B.E. 2450) that King Rama V stopped in the area and asked about the sand pile, after which the name became widely used in the community.

 

A: It is recommended to contact the mosque in advance to confirm appropriate visiting times and to follow guidance on dress code and etiquette inside the mosque.

 

A: Dress modestly, keep the area clean, avoid loud noise, place shoes in designated areas, and avoid walking in front of someone who is praying.

 

A: Yes. There are halal dining options and accommodations in nearby zones. See the summary table above for names, approximate distances, and contact numbers.