Darul Falah Mosque (Surao Koh Koi)

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Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: According to religious activities and prayer times (it’s recommended to call ahead before visiting)

 

Darul Falah Mosque (Surao Koh Koi) is a religious center of the Cham Muslim community in the Ban Krua area along Saen Saep Canal, in Bangkok’s inner-city zone. If you only look at a map, you might assume it’s merely a place you pass through—but once you step deeper into the community lanes, you begin to feel a different rhythm of the city: a space of faith that residents truly use every day, and a hub for religious affairs, learning, and mutual support in a very community-rooted way.

 

Community narratives describe Ban Krua in earlier times as wide open land along the Saen Saep Canal. During the reign of King Rama V, Ban Krua was expansive, and in an era when travel relied mainly on boats or walking, many Cham residents had to spend significant time reaching the main mosque of the area to perform religious duties. This led a group of Cham Muslims living on the eastern side of Ban Krua to propose building a mosque of their own—so prayer and religious activities could be “closer to home” and better aligned with everyday life in the community.

 

The beginning of Surao Koh Koi is closely tied to Haji Tohe, a landowner in the area who allocated part of his land to establish the mosque in its early stage. The original structure was a raised wooden house on stilts, with a “sabeng” post—sometimes described by locals as a drum tower. One noteworthy feature is that the main mosque space and the “balai” were arranged within the same structure, reflecting its identity as a “community-built mosque,” designed for real use and gathering among worshippers rather than architectural grandeur.

 

In the earliest period, the community appointed Haji Karim Barahom as the imam. The roles of khatib and bilal were rotated among suitable community members. Names often mentioned in local accounts include Tuan Yimat, Haji Sadiah, and Yiyakull, before a later imam generation emerged, such as Haji Yafan bin Barahom, supported by community backers including Haji Mad Khong, Haji Son, and Maskul. Together, these details highlight that sustaining the mosque was never the responsibility of a single person, but rather the work of a whole network of faith and support within the community.

 

Over time, the structure of religious leadership became more clearly defined. In 1962 (B.E. 2505), Haji Saman Jityadsuwan (the son of Haji Yafan) became the imam, with Haji Rahmat bin Yafal serving as khatib and Haji Rahhim bin Yafan serving as bilal. The mosque was then registered under Thailand’s Islamic Mosque Act on 18 April 1980 (B.E. 2523), registration no. 122, under the name “Darul Falah Mosque.” It was also rebuilt from its earlier wooden structure into a two-story concrete building, to accommodate the increasing number of worshippers and religious activities as the surrounding city community expanded.

 

What makes Darul Falah Mosque especially memorable in terms of “full community use” is its role beyond being a prayer space. The mosque includes facilities for bathing the deceased (mayyit) in accordance with religious requirements, a community health center, and religious education at the fardu ain level, providing structured foundational learning for youth and those interested. Community accounts also describe the mosque’s land area as approximately 81 square wah, and note that the property is held under Crown Property title—details that reflect the realities of a centrally located mosque within Bangkok’s inner-city land and administrative context.

 

For those exploring Bangkok, the charm of this mosque lies in how it reveals another truth of the city: Bangkok is not only shopping malls and major roads, but also old communities with deep Cham cultural roots, a way of life connected to Saen Saep Canal, and religious sites that function as both spiritual anchors and practical community centers. If you visit to learn, the essential approach is respect: dress modestly, keep the area quiet, avoid disturbing prayer times, ask permission before taking photos, and always prioritize the prayer space as the primary place for worshippers.

 

Getting There The mosque is located at No. 915, Thanon Phetchaburi Subdistrict, Ratchathewi District, Bangkok. For first-time visitors, a practical “anti-lost” approach is to use Phetchaburi Road as the main route and then enter the Ban Krua area via the smaller lanes as suggested by map navigation. Because some sections transition into community alleys and narrow walkways, it’s recommended to allow extra time and reduce speed when nearing residential areas. If you use navigation apps, pin the mosque name or “Surao Koh Koi” and follow real-route guidance, especially if you are calling a ride or visiting for the first time.

 

If you want to plan a worthwhile day trip, this area connects easily to nearby destinations such as Siam, National Stadium, the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, museums, and the popular food zone along Banthat Thong. The key to planning well is “timing with respect for religious activities” and ensuring that your visit never becomes a disruption to the community’s real use of the space. When approached thoughtfully, Darul Falah Mosque can become a landmark that helps you understand Bangkok more deeply than a typical city itinerary.

 

 

A: It is in Thanon Phetchaburi Subdistrict, Ratchathewi District, Bangkok, in the Ban Krua area near Saen Saep Canal.

 

A: Because Ban Krua was very large in the past, and residents on the eastern side had to walk or take boats to the main mosque. Building a local mosque made it easier to perform religious duties closer to home.

 

A: It was registered under the Islamic Mosque Act on 18 April 1980 (B.E. 2523), Registration No. 122.

 

A: In addition to prayers, it provides mayyit bathing facilities, a community health center, and fardu ain religious education (for specific schedules, it’s best to call and ask).

 

A: Dress modestly, keep quiet, avoid disturbing prayer times, ask permission before taking photos, and always prioritize the prayer space for worshippers.

 

A: 02-069-9399 and 08-4123-4989 (it’s recommended to call ahead before visiting).