Wat Hua Lamphong, Bangkok Overview

Located in the Bang Rak District, Wat Hua Lamphong is one-of-a-kind Royal Buddhist Temple in the capital city. It has an aesthetic architecture, is easily accessible and also falls off the beaten path. The temple is extremely popular among the local Thai civilians, who visit here to donate money for coffins for the people who have died but, unfortunately, have no relatives who can afford to buy a coffin for them.

Surrounded by the majestic skyscrapers of Bangkok, the Wat Hua Lamphong temple offers a mystical respite to everyone wishing to experience and understand the atypical Thai culture and history. Furthermore, the temple's charitable initiatives allows tourists to travel, experience and also contribute towards social development. The temple is representative of the classic Thai Buddhist temple with vibrant and boisterous decorations. It's charming vibe and calming environment make it a must-visit for all wishing to experience Thai local culture and its roots.

Architecture of Wat Hua Lamphong

Wat Hua Lamphong Temple has magnificent architecture, showing influences from a number of styles. As typical of a Buddhist temple, the compound includes a ubosot and vihara. However, quite unusually, both are raised on a platform, accessible through a wide staircase. The chedi, or stupa, is also on this platform.

Wat Hua Lamphong Temple Bangkok — Source

The compound or area in front of or around the platform has a number of shrines, dedicated to important Thai Buddhist and Hindu deities and individuals. These include shrines for the elephant-headed God, Ganesha, and King Rama V (King Chulalongkorn). Other sites at Wat Hua Lamphong include crematorium and quarters for the Buddhist monks. The main hall of the compound is decorated with traditional paintings and a brilliant chandelier.

How to Reach Wat Hua Lamphong Temple

Wat Hua Lamphong is located on the Rama IV Road, in close proximity to the capital city's business district and at a walking distance from the famous Lumbini Park. The closest MRT station is Sam Yan Station, with its entrance located outside the main gate of the temple compound. You can take a short taxi ride to arrive here from MBK. Alternatively, you can take the Skytrain, getting off at Saladaeng Station, from where the temple compound is a short walk.

Making Coffin Donations

The Wat Hua Lamphong temple is popularly revered since a lot of people make donations to sections of the society who cannot afford a coffin after their death. Don't forget to participate in this charitable endeavour! There's no minimum amount of donation, however, a typical coffin costs about 500 baht. The process of donation is also fairly simple. There's a pink slip where you can enter your details. This pink slip is then to be handed to one of the staff members seated at the counter, where a receipt is issued against your name. Use the glue provided to paste the receipt and pink slip on the surface of the coffins displayed there.