Chao Pho Thepharak-Chao Mae Thapthim Shrine

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08:00–17:00

 

Chao Pho Thepharak-Chao Mae Thapthim Shrine, also widely known among local people as Pueng Tao Kong Shrine or Chao Pho Khwae Yai Shrine, is one of the most important Chinese shrines in Nakhon Sawan. Located on the riverside near Pak Nam Pho, the shrine stands close to the symbolic beginning of the Chao Phraya River, making it both a sacred place of worship and a meaningful cultural landmark for travelers interested in Thai-Chinese heritage.

 

The shrine is situated along the Nakhon Sawan-Chum Saeng Road on the eastern side of the river, opposite the old Pak Nam Pho market area. This location is deeply connected with the geography and identity of Nakhon Sawan, a province often associated with the meeting of major northern rivers before they become the Chao Phraya River. Visitors come here not only to pay respect to the deities but also to enjoy the riverside scenery and experience the atmosphere of an old trading community shaped by river life.

 

Pak Nam Pho has long been a major riverside settlement where Thai and Chinese communities lived, traded, and built strong cultural ties. The shrine therefore functions as more than a religious site. It is a spiritual center for the local community, a place for Chinese rituals, and a living reminder of the relationship between water, commerce, migration, and faith in Nakhon Sawan.

 

Inside the shrine, the main deity is Chao Pho Thepharak, or Pueng Tao Kong, revered as a guardian deity who protects the community and brings peace. On one side is Guan Yu, a deity associated with loyalty, courage, righteousness, and integrity. On the other side is Chao Mae Thapthim, a goddess closely connected with water, maritime travel, and protection. The shrine also houses other revered figures, including Chao Mae Sawan and Chao Pho Sam Ta, reflecting the rich spiritual world of the local Chinese community.

 

One of the most important pieces of historical evidence at the shrine is a bronze-and-silver bell with Chinese inscriptions, donated by devotees in 1870 during the reign of King Chulalongkorn, Rama V. This confirms the shrine’s long-standing role in the community and shows that the place has been respected for more than a century. For travelers, this makes the shrine a valuable cultural stop where faith, history, and local identity can be understood together.

 

The shrine is closely associated with the famous Pak Nam Pho Chinese New Year procession, one of the most important Chinese New Year celebrations in Thailand. The event includes the ceremonial procession of deities, dragon and lion dances, Eng Kor performances, and other traditional rituals that express the deep faith and unity of the local Thai-Chinese community. For many visitors, this festival is the best time to experience the shrine at its most vibrant.

 

The atmosphere around Chao Pho Thepharak-Chao Mae Thapthim Shrine is especially appealing because of its riverside setting. After paying respect inside the shrine, visitors can walk around the area and enjoy views of the river and the city. Across the water, the Pasan landmark can be seen as a modern symbol of the Chao Phraya River’s origin. This makes the shrine suitable for spiritual travelers, cultural tourists, photographers, and anyone who wants to understand Nakhon Sawan beyond a typical stopover city.

 

For worship, visitors commonly begin by paying respect to Chao Pho Thepharak or Pueng Tao Kong for protection, peace, and stability. They may then pay respect to Guan Yu for loyalty, courage, and success in duties, followed by Chao Mae Thapthim for safe journeys and protection related to water. During Chinese New Year and the Pak Nam Pho procession period, the shrine and surrounding community become especially lively.

 

Getting There is straightforward from Nakhon Sawan city center. Travelers can take the Nakhon Sawan-Chum Saeng Road, also known as Highway 225, toward Khwae Yai Subdistrict. The shrine is about 2–3 km from the central city area. Those coming from Pak Nam Pho Market can cross toward the riverside area on the Khwae Yai side. Visitors driving during the Chinese New Year festival should allow extra time because traffic and parking around Pak Nam Pho can be busy.

 

Chao Pho Thepharak-Chao Mae Thapthim Shrine is therefore not only a place to pray for blessings. It is also a cultural landmark that preserves the story of the Thai-Chinese community of Pak Nam Pho, the spiritual importance of the river, and the identity of Nakhon Sawan as the gateway to the Chao Phraya River. A visit here pairs well with Pasan, Pak Nam Pho Market, the City Pillar Shrine, and other cultural attractions in the old town area.

 

 

A: The shrine is located in Khwae Yai Subdistrict, Mueang Nakhon Sawan District, Nakhon Sawan Province, by the Chao Phraya River opposite the Pak Nam Pho market area.

 

A: It is an old Chinese shrine, a spiritual center of the Pak Nam Pho Thai-Chinese community, and an important site connected with the famous Pak Nam Pho Chinese New Year procession.

 

A: The main deities include Chao Pho Thepharak or Pueng Tao Kong, Guan Yu, Chao Mae Thapthim, Chao Mae Sawan, and Chao Pho Sam Ta.

 

A: The shrine is open daily from 08:00 to 17:00.

 

A: No. Admission is free for visitors who want to pay respect or enjoy the riverside atmosphere.

 

A: The shrine can be visited year-round. For a vibrant cultural atmosphere, the Chinese New Year period and the Pak Nam Pho procession are especially recommended.

 

A: Nearby attractions include Pasan, Nakhon Sawan City Pillar Shrine, Wat Woranat Banphot, Wat Khiriwong, Nakhon Sawan Walking Street, and Sawan Park.