Wat Suansawan is a quiet abandoned temple tucked away in the Bang Yi Khan community of Bang Phlat District in Bangkok, near the base of Rama VIII Bridge and hidden in Soi Charansanitwong 44. It stands as one of the lesser-known historic sites that survived from the late Ayutthaya period into the early Rattanakosin era, offering a rare glimpse into Bangkok’s layered past amid the surrounding urban neighborhood.
Historians believe the temple originated in the late Ayutthaya period, though exact construction records are scarce and it was never classified among the prominent royal temples of that time, pointing instead to its likely role as a community or commoners’ temple. Its name, meaning “Heavenly Garden,” is thought to derive from the stucco pediment decoration possibly depicting Indra’s paradise or similar celestial motifs. The site appears on Bangkok maps from the late 19th to early 20th century, confirming its established presence in the area.
The temple experienced restoration during ...
The Maeklong Railway Market, also known as Talat Rom Hup or the “Umbrella Pulldown Market,” in Samut Songkhram Province has existed since around 1905. It began as a bustling local fresh seafood market in a fishing-dependent area near the Gulf of Thailand.
When the Maeklong Railway was built to improve goods distribution, including seafood, from the region to Bangkok and other provinces, the tracks were laid directly through the existing market.
Rather than relocating, the resilient vendors adapted by continuing operations around the tracks. They quickly pull back awnings, umbrellas, and stalls whenever a train approaches, then promptly reset everything once it passes.
This unique coexistence turned the market into one of Thailand’s largest fresh seafood markets, blending everyday commerce with the precision of railway schedules. Over time, it evolved from a practical local hub into a world-famous attraction showcasing Thai ingenuity and adaptability.
One of the most authentic and cheapest ways to...
Wat Rajapradit Sathan, also known as Wat Racha Praditsathan, is an active Buddhist temple situated on the city island of Ayutthaya in Thailand.
Its name translates to “Monastery of the Royal Installation,” reflecting its historical ties to royalty, and it stands outside the main Ayutthaya Historical Park boundaries in the Tha Wasukri or Hua Ro area. The temple complex today incorporates what was once a separate neighboring site called Wat Tha Sai, which has been annexed into it over time, and remnants of an old canal called Khlong Pratu Khao Pluak still exist as a small pond on the grounds after much of it was filled in.
The temple’s origins date back to the Ayutthaya Kingdom period, though the exact founder and construction date remain unclear from surviving records, with suggestions that it may have royal patronage given its name and associations.
It gained particular prominence through its connection to King Chakkraphat, who reigned from 1548 to 1569 and had ordained as a monk there prior ...
Wat Hua Lamphong is a third-class royal Buddhist temple located in Bangkok’s Bang Rak district along Rama IV Road, near the historic Hua Lamphong railway station.
Originally known as Wat Wua Lamphong and dating back roughly two centuries to the early Rattanakosin period, it serves as an active monastery and community spiritual center rather than a major tourist site.
The temple gained its current name during the reign of King Rama V and underwent a major renovation in 1996 to mark the Golden Jubilee of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, incorporating the royal Kanchanapisek seal featuring two elephants flanking a multi-tiered umbrella throughout its structures.
Its distinctive architecture includes elevated ordination and assembly halls reached by wide staircases, colorful murals depicting Buddhist stories and traditional Thai life, intricate mother-of-pearl and gilded lacquer decorations, and shrines dedicated to figures such as King Rama V and Ganesha.
Locally nicknamed the Coffin Temple, Wat Hua ...
