Wat Somanas Ratchaworawihan

Rating: 3.7/5 (9 votes)

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 06:00–18:00

 

Wat Sommanat Ratchaworawihan is a second-class royal monastery (Ratchaworawihan) in Bangkok. Many people also know it by the shorter name “Wat Sommanat Wihan.” Its full official name is “Wat Sommanat Ratchaworawihan.” King Mongkut (Rama IV) founded the temple as a royal dedication to Queen consort Sommanat Wattanawadi, and in the early years of his reign it later received the royal name “Wat Sommanat Wihan.”

 

King Mongkut (Rama IV) laid the foundation stone of the ordination hall (Ubosot) on the 12th day of the waxing moon in the Year of the Ox, Chulasakarat 1215, which corresponds to 15 January 1853 (B.E. 2396). The temple grounds cover approximately 31 rai (including the surrounding moat). The site was granted a formal boundary for ecclesiastical purposes (Wisungkhamsima). The front of the temple faces Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem, and moats were dug to define the boundary on three sides.

 

Within the area designated as Wisungkhamsima, the inner precinct inside the wall was defined as the principal boundary (Mahasima), while the space outside the wall was left as the outer precinct (Upacharasima) together with the moat, separating residential areas on monastic land from the principal monastic boundary. The Ubosot itself was defined as a specific sub-boundary (Khandhasima), with boundary markers around the courtyard encircling the Ubosot. From the front to the rear, the area inside the wall is divided into three bands. The central band forms the sacred precinct (Phutthawat), containing the Ubosot, the main vihara, the cloistered gallery (Wihan Khot), and the stupa/chedi.

 

The monks’ residential quarters (Sangkhawat) are arranged along the two side bands, each side consisting of three monastic groups. Between these groups are open precinct areas, laid out in an orderly manner without crowding. At the front of the temple there is a spacious courtyard, which today is used as a school area. The rear of the temple is used as the Army cremation ground, and on one side there is a cemetery, while another side serves as an access road leading through to the back of the temple.

 

Once some construction had been completed—enough to serve as a residence for monks and novices during the rains retreat—on the 9th day of the waxing moon in the 8th lunar month, a Thursday morning in B.E. 2399 (1856), King Mongkut (Rama IV) invited “Phra Ariyamuni” (Phutthasiri Thera, Thap, Por. 9) from Wat Ratchathiwat, together with about 40 monks, to proceed in a ceremonial boat procession and take residence in the monastic quarters.

 

The King offered alms food and monastic requisites to Phra Ariyamuni and the accompanying learned monks, then returned. The senior monastic assembly, with Somdet Phra Maha Samana Chao Krom Phraya Pavares Variyalongkorn presiding, paid respects at the site. Flowers, incense, and candles were presented to Phra Ariyamuni according to the tradition of inaugurating a new residence for each monk.

 

Later, Phra Ariyamuni was promoted to Phra Phrommuni in the Year of the Snake, B.E. 2400 (1857). In the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), in the Year of the Monkey, B.E. 2415 (1872), Phra Phrommuni was promoted to Phra Phimontham. In the Year of the Rabbit, B.E. 2422 (1879), Phra Phimontham was elevated to Somdet Phra Wanrat.

 

For those who appreciate Thai temple heritage, the temple’s charm lies in the “systematic order” of its layout: a clear separation between the sacred precinct (Phutthawat) and the residential precinct (Sangkhawat), and the meaningful use of moats and walls to define boundaries—not merely for beauty, but as part of the temple’s ritual and monastic organization. As you walk through the inner areas, you can sense an airy openness and disciplined order that naturally settles the pace of the visit into calm.

 

Getting There There are several ways to reach the temple. If you are using public transport, it helps to use Krung Kasem Road and the line of Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem as your main reference points, then get off at a nearby stop and walk the final short distance. This works especially well for a one-trip plan of “temple visit, then a neighborhood walk,” continuing on to nearby areas such as Nang Loeng.

 

 

A: King Mongkut (Rama IV) founded it as a royal dedication to Queen consort Sommanat Wattanawadi, and it became a royal monastery with a carefully planned layout and clearly defined ecclesiastical boundaries.

 

A: Yes. “Wat Sommanat Ratchaworawihan” is the full official name, while “Wat Sommanat Wihan” is the commonly used shortened name.

 

A: Start by taking in the view along the canal at the front of the temple, then enter the walled inner area to see the central sacred precinct with the Ubosot, vihara, cloistered gallery, and chedi. After that, continue to the residential precinct where the monastic quarters are arranged into orderly groups.

 

A: Mornings are cooler with soft light and are great for observing details. Late afternoons can be especially calm, but it’s best to allow enough time to finish before closing.

 

A: Nang Loeng is a convenient next stop for food and a walk through an old neighborhood, and it fits nicely into a half-day itinerary.