Darunnaeem Mosque (Thung Khru)

Rating: 4/5 (6 votes)

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: Generally open according to prayer times and mosque activities (it is recommended to call ahead)

 

Darunnaeem Mosque (Thung Khru) is one of the community mosques in southern Bangkok that you might easily drive past without noticing—unless you came specifically “to find the story.” The Suksawat 70 area moves at a steady, everyday pace, not dressed up like Bangkok’s central tourist zones. And that is exactly where this mosque becomes interesting: it is a religious space that has long served as a gathering point for the rhythms of life in Thung Khru, continuing quietly to the present day without needing to advertise itself loudly.

 

If you think of Bangkok as a city built from countless “small communities,” a mosque like this is an essential piece that completes the picture. It is not only a place to pray, but also a space where people meet, look after one another, and reaffirm a shared identity through faith. Getting to know Darunnaeem Mosque is therefore not about ticking off a photo checklist, but about stepping closer to the “continuity of a community”—supported by clear records, a functioning structure, and named caretakers whose responsibilities have been passed on over time.

 

According to official records, Darunnaeem Mosque (Thung Khru) is registered under record number Thor.5 (ธ.5) and was officially registered on 1 September 1949 (B.E. 2492). This date matters because it shows that the community established a formal religious structure not long after the Second World War era. When you see a year like this, you begin to realize that “Thung Khru” is not as new as many people assume, and that forming a mosque in a tangible and organized way required both deep faith and collective effort from the community at that time.

 

The registration information also includes the name of the applicant and the leadership role at the beginning, which is the kind of detail not easily found in ordinary review pages. The applicant listed is Mr. Haji Muhammad Ahwang Thongtha as the imam, along with individuals who served in the roles of khatib and bilal in the early period. These names matter not simply because they appear on paper, but because they reflect how the community established clear roles and followed the mosque’s religious framework from the very start.

 

As time passes, mosques that remain strong over the long term tend to share one key trait: responsibilities are handed down in an orderly way. Darunnaeem Mosque has a leadership timeline that makes this continuity fairly visible. The role of imam has been passed from the registration era to later generations, leading to the present day, when Mr. Somnuek Nasanee serves as the imam. This is a name familiar to local residents and consistent with the official database maintained by relevant organizations.

 

For those unfamiliar with how a mosque is structured, the terms “imam,” “khatib,” and “bilal” may sound distant. In practice, they are the functional system that keeps religious life running smoothly. The imam leads prayers and provides religious guidance for the community. The khatib delivers the sermon, especially for Friday prayer. The bilal calls the adhan and supports religious duties according to the role. Understanding this helps you see that a mosque with clearly identified roles reflects a strong “community structure” working behind the scenes—not merely a building that opens and closes at random.

 

Another reason Darunnaeem Mosque is worth writing about is its setting within a real, lived-in neighborhood. This makes the atmosphere of community life easier to feel than in the main tourist districts. The place is not lively because of travelers with cameras, but because local residents come and go in step with prayer times, activities, and everyday conversations. If you visit as someone interested in culture, the key is not “getting into every corner,” but respecting the pace and purpose of the space.

 

Basic etiquette for visiting mosques in Bangkok applies well here too: dress modestly, avoid clothing that is too short or overly tight, speak in an appropriate tone, and try not to walk through prayer areas during active worship. If you want to take photos, it is best to ask permission first, especially if people may appear in the frame or if the area is sensitive. These small actions help make the visit a positive experience for both visitors and the community.

 

Getting There If you travel by private car or ride-hailing service, the simplest method is to pin the mosque’s name on your map, enter via Suksawat 70 Road, and then turn into Suksawat 70 Soi 18, which leads directly to the mosque area. The main thing to watch for is traffic along the Suksawat corridor during certain times, especially weekday mornings and evenings. If you use public transport, aim first for the Suksawat–Pracha Uthit area and then connect into the soi using the most convenient route for that day, as the neighborhood is served by buses, local shared transport, and ride-hailing options that make reaching deeper sois much easier.

 

If you ask what the “highlight” of Darunnaeem Mosque is for someone who wants to understand Bangkok beyond the usual sights, the answer is likely not a grand dome or an architecture designed for zoom lenses. Instead, it is the length of time and the organized community structure—confirmed through its registration since 1949 and the clearly defined caretaking roles that continue to the present. In a city that changes quickly, a place that still preserves both “structure” and “meaning” like this is genuinely notable, and it reflects the charm of exploring Bangkok beyond famous landmarks—inside neighborhoods where people live their lives every day.

 

 

A: It was officially registered on 1 September 1949 (Record No. Thor.5 / ธ.5).

 

A: The current imam is Mr. Somnuek Nasanee.

 

A: It is best to avoid prayer times. Dress modestly, speak quietly, and ask permission before taking photos.

 

A: It is located in Suksawat 70 Soi 18, Thung Khru, Bangkok. You can pin the mosque name on your map and enter the soi directly. During rush hours, allow extra time due to heavier traffic along Suksawat Road.

 

A: You can call 02-463-5181.