Wat Samphanthawongsaram Worawiharn

Wat Samphanthawongsaram Worawiharn is an old temple that was built during the Ayutthaya period (before Bangkok became the capital of Thailand in 1782). It’s old name was “Wat Koh” (Island temple), because it was surrounded by a moat that was connected to the Chao Phraya river.

Wat Samphanthawongsaram from the entrance gate

It was in the year 1796 that King Rama I ordered to have the temple renovated, and made it into a royal temple with the name Wat Koh Kaew Langkaram. Later on, under King Rama IV the name was changed again in honor of Prince Samphanthawong, the son of King Rama I.

Intricately designed doors of Wat Samphanthawongsaram Worawiharn

Look at the richly detailed iconography on the doors of Wat Samphanthawongsaram Worawiharn

air conditioned hall in Wat Samphanthawongsaram Worawiharn

Unusual for Buddhist temples in Thailand: the halls are air-conditioned

This temple has a lot of wealthy Thai-Chinese benefactors, who regularly donate money to this temple. It’s unusal for a Buddhist temple in Thailand to have air-conditioning, but Wat Samphanthawongsaram Worawiharn obviously thought it a good idea to assure the comfort of both monks and laypeople who come here to pray, meditate or join a ceremony.

Also, when we came here, we were a bit surprised to see a monk getting out of a very luxurious VW minibus. He didn’t drive the car himself, but had a driver, that hurried to open the door for him.