Wat Tha Banthoeng Tham

Rating: 3.8/5 (4 votes)

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08:00 – 16:30

 

Wat Tha Banthoeng Tham is a local temple under the Dhammayut order, located along Khlong Bang Yai in Village No. 1, Ban Bang Son, Bang Yai Subdistrict, Bang Yai District, Nonthaburi Province. This is an old riverside temple with strong historical depth, distinctive sacred landmarks, and a continuing role in religious practice, education, meditation, and community life. For visitors looking for an old temple near Bangkok that offers more than a brief stop for worship, Wat Tha Banthoeng Tham stands out as a place where history, faith, traditional architecture, and local identity still exist together in a very visible way.

 

The temple’s historical importance begins with its status as an old temple that underwent a major restoration in 1843 during the reign of King Nangklao, Rama III. The person associated with that restoration was Mom Chao Ying Khoi Tha Pramoj, and local people came to call the temple simply “Wat Tha” after her name. Another stream of local memory says that the temple was once known as “Wat Na,” paired with “Wat Lang,” now known as Wat Lang Bang. Over time, the temple was steadily maintained and improved, and in 1948 its name was formally expanded to “Wat Tha Banthoeng Tham,” which remains the name used today.

 

One of the temple’s strongest points of identity lies in its two highly revered Buddha images, Luang Pho Khao and Luang Pho Mo, which are believed to be around 100–200 years old. Both are deeply respected by local worshippers, and Luang Pho Mo in particular is especially well known among people who come to pray for good health, relief from suffering, and personal blessing. These sacred images are not simply old religious objects. They remain active centers of devotion for the surrounding community and for visitors who come specifically to pay respect.

 

Another major feature of Wat Tha Banthoeng Tham is the large chedi located beside the canal. According to analysis associated with the Fine Arts Department, it is believed to function like a memorial stupa related to the temple’s founder and is already more than 150 years old. This structure adds a clear historical layer to the temple grounds. Standing beside the canal, it also reinforces the identity of the temple as part of an older waterside world in Nonthaburi, where canals, community settlement, and Buddhist faith have long been interconnected.

 

The old ordination hall is one of the most interesting architectural areas within the temple. The main building stands on a singha base, while the surrounding terrace sits on a lotus-style base. The doors and windows are relatively plain, so the beauty of the building comes more from its proportions and structural composition than from dense decorative ornament. The roof is a gabled form with two stacked tiers and a projecting front porch, while the final roof section is supported by decorative brackets. The front gable features Indra riding Erawan, framed by Thai kranok motifs, giving the old ordination hall a distinctive and elegant character.

 

Inside the old ordination hall is a seated Buddha image in the Mara-Vijaya posture that local people refer to as Luang Pho Mo. It is a stucco Buddha image covered in gold and remains one of the temple’s most respected sacred objects. The temple also preserves a replica Buddha footprint created toward the end of King Rama III’s reign. This sacred footprint continues to play an important role in annual merit-making traditions, with regular celebratory events and gold-leaf application ceremonies that keep the temple’s ritual life closely linked to the present day.

 

A later milestone in the temple’s modern development came in 1995, when the 19th Supreme Patriarch laid the foundation stone for a new ordination hall at Wat Tha Banthoeng Tham. On that occasion, the revered image known as Luang Pho Yai was also invited to the temple as a principal object of worship. The larger new ordination hall has since become the main place for monastic ceremonies and other temple functions, allowing the temple to support present-day religious and community activities while still preserving its older historic sections.

 

In terms of present-day administration and temple leadership, the latest public contact information identifies Phra Khru Phatthakit Tikkhapanyo as the current abbot. Under its present care, the temple continues to operate as a living community institution. It supports monks, novices, those wishing to ordain, educational initiatives, and local school-related activities. This makes Wat Tha Banthoeng Tham more than a worship site. It remains closely involved with education and social support in the surrounding area.

 

The temple also plays a contemporary role through the Institute of Mental Power, Branch 172, which is based at the temple and offers structured opportunities for meditation and inner development. Because of this, Wat Tha Banthoeng Tham is appealing not only to those who come to make merit or pay respect to sacred images, but also to visitors interested in meditation, calm surroundings, and practical Buddhist practice. Travelers who appreciate peaceful temples with a meaningful spiritual atmosphere often find this temple especially rewarding.

 

Over the years, the temple grounds have also been improved through the development of monks’ residences, pavilions, restrooms, and other visitor facilities. The landscape has been adjusted to create a more shaded, peaceful, and attractive environment. There are areas designed for sitting quietly, resting the mind, and spending time in a more contemplative way. The temple also has its own café, which adds a relaxed community dimension to the visit without taking away from the sacred atmosphere of the place.

 

Wat Tha Banthoeng Tham has also helped support the surrounding area as a moral community in Nonthaburi Province. This shows how closely the temple remains tied to everyday local life. Rather than standing apart from the community, it continues to serve as a center linking religion, education, ethics, and public activities. For cultural travelers, this gives the temple value far beyond architecture or age alone. It is a good example of a temple that still matters in contemporary society.

 

From a travel perspective, the temple is ideal for those who want to explore a quieter side of Nonthaburi. Because it stands beside Khlong Bang Yai, the atmosphere still carries the feeling of an older canal-side community. A visit here can include paying respect to Luang Pho Khao and Luang Pho Mo, walking around the old ordination hall, seeing the old riverside chedi, visiting the replica Buddha footprint, and taking a quiet break in the landscaped areas inside the grounds. The experience feels very different from a large, crowded urban temple.

 

Another point of interest is the temple’s future development plan, which includes the Luang Pho Mo 200 Years Building and a community-oriented floating market and learning space project. While these are part of the temple’s forward-looking vision, they also reflect how Wat Tha Banthoeng Tham continues to evolve instead of remaining fixed only in the past. The temple clearly aims to connect tradition, learning, and community activity in a wider and more sustainable way.

 

Getting There is straightforward whether you are traveling by private car or using transport in the Bang Yai area. The temple is located in Soi Thetsaban Bang Yai 1 near Khlong Bang Yai. From Bangkok, you can drive via Kanchanaphisek Road into Bang Yai and continue into the local road network. MRT Purple Line users can get off at Sam Yaek Bang Yai Station or another nearby station and continue by local transport. Travelers who enjoy combining several destinations in one day can easily continue from this temple to Wat Lang Bang, Wat Phra Non, or other cultural stops in Bang Yai.

 

Visitors who plan to worship or spend time practicing meditation should dress respectfully and allow enough time to move around the temple slowly. Wat Tha Banthoeng Tham has more detail than its exterior might first suggest. The old ordination hall, sacred Buddha images, riverside chedi, replica Buddha footprint, and calm rest areas all contribute to a temple experience that feels layered, lived-in, and genuinely connected to the local community.

 

 

A: The temple is best known for Luang Pho Khao, Luang Pho Mo, the large canal-side chedi, the old ordination hall, and the replica Buddha footprint.

 

A: Yes. Public visitor information lists the temple as open daily, with visiting hours around 08:00 to 16:30.

 

A: Luang Pho Mo is one of the temple’s most revered Buddha images and is especially respected by worshippers who come to pray for health and blessing.

 

A: Yes. The temple hosts the Institute of Mental Power, Branch 172, and has a calm environment well suited to meditation and quiet reflection.

 

A: Driving is convenient via Kanchanaphisek Road into Bang Yai. MRT Purple Line users can get off at Sam Yaek Bang Yai Station and continue by local transport.

 

A: The temple also has landscaped rest areas, community-use spaces, meditation-related facilities, and its own café.

 

A: Nearby stops include Wat Lang Bang, Wat Phra Non, Wat Suan Kaew, Central Westgate, and IKEA Bang Yai.