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A Historic Temple Connecting Talat Noi to Song Wat
Wat Pathum Khongkha sits at the end of Song Wat Road, right where the old Talad Noi neighbourhood meets Bangkok’s trendiest new street. This second-class royal temple dates back to the Ayutthaya period and carries a dark history as a royal execution ground. The stone where a prince was beaten to death is still somewhere in the grounds. Most visitors walking between Talad Noi and Song Wat Road pass right by. Worth stopping for.
A Temple with a Dark Past
The temple was originally called Wat Sampheng after the Chinese quarter nearby. Prince Maha Sura Singhanat rebuilt it in the early Rattanakosin era and dedicated it to his father. The new name means ‘temple of lotuses in water’. The prince had a nickname: Tiger Lord. He earned it through a forceful personality and years of fighting Burmese forces across Siam.
Here’s what makes this place unusual. It served as a royal execution ground. Prince Kraisorn was executed here for rebellion against King Rama III. The method was a sandalwood cudgel to the back of the neck. We couldn’t find the stone ourselves, but it’s apparently still there if you ask the monks. The canal in front of the temple is sacred too. Ashes of cremated royals and white elephants were scattered here.
What to See Inside
The ordination hall (when open) houses a Buddha image called Phra Phuttha Mahachanok. It shows Buddha overcoming temptation, dressed in royal attire. More interesting to us were the sermon hall doors. They have original gold leaf paintings from the early Rattanakosin period. Around 250 years old. The temple was registered as an ancient monument in 2017 and was recently restored.
Using It as a Starting Point
The location works well for exploring this part of Bangkok. Start here, then walk into Talad Noi’s old streets. Or head the other way along Song Wat Road for street art and cafes. Many people do the reverse, starting at Wat Traimit near Hua Lamphong.
Behind the temple, there’s a small guesthouse on the river. It appeared in the 2009 Thai film ‘Bangkok Traffic Love Story’.
Wat Pathum Khongkha Photos
Wat Pathum Khongkha Ratchaworawihan Info
Location: Song Wat Road
Address: 1620 Song Wat Rd, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100
Hours: 5 am – 9 pm
Phone: 022333236
Wat Pathum Khongkha Ratchaworawihan Map
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