Wat Thammawutharam

Open Days: Open daily according to temple activities

Opening Hours: Daytime

 

Wat Thammawutharam, also widely known by locals as “Wat Bang Puen,” is a Mahanikaya Buddhist temple in Nang Takhian Subdistrict, Mueang Samut Songkhram District, Samut Songkhram Province. The temple stands along Khlong Bang Puen, surrounded by old canals, coconut groves, and long-established local communities. What makes this temple memorable is not only its peaceful rural atmosphere, but also the way its identity is deeply tied to local history, folklore, and community belief.

 

In essence, this is a temple where local memory and religious life meet. Its former name, Wat Bang Puen, came directly from the historic canal beside it. Later, the temple received the official name Wat Thammawutharam, yet the older name still survives in everyday local speech. That continuity gives the temple a strong sense of place and makes it more than just another countryside temple in Samut Songkhram.

 

The story behind Khlong Bang Puen goes back to the Second Fall of Ayutthaya. Local tradition says that Bunma, the younger brother of Luang Yokkrabat of Ratchaburi, who later became King Rama I, fled through this canal while escaping Burmese forces. During the escape, he used a pair of sugar palm trees to shield himself from gunfire. Because of that episode, the canal became known as “Bang Puen,” literally linked to the idea of hiding from bullets. The temple’s original name followed the canal, preserving that story in the local landscape.

 

The temple itself began as a monastic residence in 1954 under Phra Kru Vinaiyathorn (Lek) Thammiyo. It later received its royal boundary for ordination ceremonies on 24 January 1958, an important milestone that marked its transition into a fully established temple. The name was then changed to Wat Thammawutharam by a senior provincial monk, giving the temple its formal identity while still leaving the older local name alive in community memory.

 

Wat Thammawutharam developed steadily over time and became known through the efforts of successive abbots, especially Phra Kru Samutkankovit, a respected former abbot remembered as a temple developer. In more recent community records and provincial activity reports, the temple is associated with Phra Maha Charoen Thangkaro, whose name appears in local cultural events connected to Nang Takhian. This shows that the temple remains active in contemporary community life rather than existing only as a historical site.

 

One of the most distinctive features of the temple is its association with palm-leaf talismans made from sugar palm leaves found around Khlong Bang Puen. These talismans are part of local sacred belief and represent a rare blend of natural environment, folk spirituality, and regional identity. For visitors interested in Thai local belief traditions, this detail gives the temple a stronger cultural depth than many small temples usually offer.

 

The temple’s important sights include its beautiful ordination hall and the principal Buddha image inside. The overall atmosphere is calm and understated, making it especially suitable for visitors who prefer meaningful local places over crowded tourist stops. Rather than relying on spectacle, the temple leaves an impression through its story, setting, and continued relationship with the surrounding community.

 

Wat Thammawutharam also fits well into a broader Samut Songkhram itinerary. From here, travelers can continue to Wat Nang Takhian, Wat Chulamanee, Tha Kha Floating Market, Amphawa Floating Market, and the famous Mae Klong Railway Market. That makes the temple a good stop for those who want to combine temple visits, canal culture, and local markets in one day.

 

Getting There is easiest by private car. The temple is reached via local roads in Nang Takhian connected to the main routes of Mueang Samut Songkhram. If you begin from Mae Klong town or Amphawa, the drive is relatively easy and works well as part of a one-day cultural route around the province.

 

 

A: It is located in Nang Takhian Subdistrict, Mueang Samut Songkhram District, Samut Songkhram Province, beside Khlong Bang Puen.

 

A: Its former name was Wat Bang Puen, taken from the name of the historic canal beside the temple.

 

A: The temple is known for its local historical legend, palm-leaf talismans, beautiful ordination hall, and peaceful community atmosphere.

 

A: Recent local activity records associate the temple with Phra Maha Charoen Thangkaro.

 

A: Nearby stops include Wat Nang Takhian, Wat Chulamanee, Tha Kha Floating Market, Amphawa Floating Market, and Mae Klong Railway Market.

 

A: Yes. It is especially suitable for travelers interested in local history, quiet temples, canal culture, and lesser-known cultural places in Samut Songkhram.