Wat King Kaew

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.00 – 18.00

 

Wat King Kaew is a historic Buddhist temple under the Mahanikaya sect, located in Moo 13, Racha Thewa Subdistrict, Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan Province. The temple has long served as an important religious, educational, and community center in the area. With its peaceful atmosphere, old temple heritage, and convenient location not far from Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi Airport, it is well suited for visitors who wish to make merit, pay respect, and explore a meaningful cultural site in Bang Phli.

 

The temple was established in 1885 and was originally known as “Wat King Phai.” Later, Mom Kaeo supported the restoration and development of the temple, and the temple was subsequently renamed “Wat King Kaew.” This change of name reflects an important period in the temple’s history, when it was revived and strengthened as a religious center for the local community.

 

Wat King Kaew received its first royal ordination boundary, or Wisungkhamsima, in 1886, with a boundary measuring 21 meters wide and 30 meters long. A second Wisungkhamsima was granted on 1 November 1991. These milestones reflect the temple’s recognized status within the Thai Buddhist administrative system and its long-standing role in formal religious life.

 

The temple has also played a strong role in local education. Buddhist studies have been taught here since 1924, and government agencies later used temple land to establish a primary school, a health station, and a public library. This shows that Wat King Kaew has never been only a place for ritual worship, but also a true center of community life and public benefit.

 

Important temple structures include the ordination hall, which was built in 1922 and measures 13 meters wide by 21 meters long, twenty traditional Thai-style wooden monks’ residences built in 1964, a Thai-style viharn made of brick and plaster with a two-tier roof, a pier pavilion, a funeral hall, a crematorium, and buildings used for Buddhist studies. These features reflect the temple’s continued growth as a functioning community temple over many decades.

 

The temple’s important sacred objects include the principal Buddha image in the ordination hall in the Mara-Victory posture, a bell-shaped chedi standing in front of the ordination hall with Buddha images in niches facing all four directions, Luang Pho Sawang Arun, and relics of the Buddha enshrined in the viharn. These sacred objects make Wat King Kaew an important place for worshippers who come to pray for blessings and peace of mind.

 

The line of abbots also reflects the temple’s continuity. The current abbot is Phra Si Rattanamethi (Boonsong Kalyano), who also serves as the ecclesiastical chief of Bang Phli District. This reinforces Wat King Kaew’s importance not only as a local temple, but also as a temple with a recognized role in district-level Buddhist administration.

 

The atmosphere at Wat King Kaew remains calm and community-oriented. Rather than being only a tourist stop, it is still a living temple where local residents continue to gather for merit-making, ceremonies, and daily religious practice. Visitors will find a peaceful environment that still preserves the feeling of an old temple closely connected with its neighborhood.

 

Another advantage of Wat King Kaew is its location. It sits within convenient reach of Suvarnabhumi Airport, King Kaew Road, shopping destinations such as Mega Bangna and Central Village, and several nearby cultural and lifestyle attractions. Because of this, the temple works well as part of a half-day or full-day trip in the Bang Phli area.

 

Getting There is straightforward from Bangkok. Visitors can use King Kaew Road or approach Bang Phli via Bang Na-Trat Road, then enter Soi King Kaew 23 in Racha Thewa. A private car is the most convenient option, while public transport to the King Kaew area can also be combined with local transport for the final stretch to the temple.

 

 

A: Wat King Kaew was established in 1885 and was originally known as Wat King Phai.

 

A: The current abbot is Phra Si Rattanamethi (Boonsong Kalyano), who also serves as the ecclesiastical chief of Bang Phli District.

 

A: Important sacred objects include the principal Buddha image in the ordination hall, Luang Pho Sawang Arun, the bell-shaped chedi, and Buddha relics enshrined in the viharn.

 

A: Yes. The temple is located in the King Kaew area and is within convenient reach of Suvarnabhumi Airport.

 

A: Visitors can continue to Market Village Suvarnabhumi, Mega Bangna, Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai, Central Village, and Suan Luang Rama IX.

 

A: It is suitable for merit-making, temple visits, cultural travel, and a peaceful short trip near Bangkok.