Pay respects to Luang Pho Phra Saen and Luang Pho Thongkham at Wat Hong

🏘 Wat Hong Rattanaram Ratchaworawihan, a second-class royal monastery, was built during the Ayutthaya period. Originally named Wat Chao Sua Hong or Wat Chao Khrua Hong, after the Chinese wealthy man who founded the temple around 1771. King Taksin graciously ordered its restoration and expansion, renaming it Wat Hong Awat Wihan.
🧱 King Rama III restored the monastery but passed away before completion. King Rama IV completed the restoration, and in 1915, during King Rama VI’s reign, the temple was renamed Wat Hong Rattanaram.
Important and interesting features within the temple include:
🏠 The ubosot (ordination hall), built during the Thonburi period and restored during King Rama III’s reign continuing into King Rama IV’s reign. Inside, there are plaster sculptures of swans decorated with glazed tiles, murals depicting the life of the Buddha, and above the door and window frames, there are dust-color paintings in glass frames illustrating the Rattanapimwong story (the legend of the Emerald Buddha). The principal Buddha image is in the Mara Vichai posture, early Rattanakosin Buddhist art. In front of the principal Buddha is Phra Saen, a bronze Buddha image in the Mara Vichai posture, sitting cross-legged in the Lan Xang style.
🏡 The viharn (assembly hall), originally a ruined viharn, has been restored. Inside is enshrined Luang Pho Thongkham or Luang Pho Suk, in Sukhothai style, Mara Vichai posture, made of mixed metal and nine metals alloy.
🛖 The Ho Trai (scripture hall) is a traditional Thai house raised on stilts with a gabled roof. The paneled walls are painted with water gilding, crafted by artisans from the Rattanakosin period.
🏞 The holy water pond was built during the Thonburi period. King Taksin ordered the invitation of Somdet Phra Sangharaja (Dee), the first Supreme Patriarch of Thonburi, to perform consecration rituals and enchantments. The king himself came to perform holy water bathing ceremonies on important royal occasions.
🏕 The shrine of King Taksin was built by the people to pay homage to his spirit by the Bang Luang canal.
♨️ Wat Hong Rattanaram Ratchaworawihan: No. 72 Wang Derm Road, Wat Arun Subdistrict, Bangkok Yai District, Bangkok
🎯 Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/a2AHMtBTEQ9BQyXx9
🕗 Opening hours: 08:00 – 17:00 hrs.

Post by the old traveler | Jul 11, 2025