Hidden Gems of Khlong San

Wat Thong Noppakhun 

Though under the radar for many travellers, this temple complex is remarkable for its truly unusual architecture. Originally built in the mid-Ayutthaya era, the temple has many distinctive design elements that were directly inspired by the period’s thriving nautical trade. These include a series of ornate, round exterior windows that recall ship portholes; lighthouse-shaped sema stones, which mark the boundaries of the temple’s sacred ground; and a carved replica of a Chinese junk.


Wat Thong Thammachat 

Just a quick walk from the Thong Noppakhun temple, Wat Thong Thammachat was also built during the Ayutthaya period, and restored during the reign of King Rama III. The temple's name means “golden nature” in Thai, and it sits in a beautifully landscaped courtyard, amid what was once a small wooded park. Inside, the walls of the ubosot, or ordination hall, are covered with magnificent murals depicting the Buddha’s life before and after he achieved nirvana.


Lhong 1919

A few minutes away from the Thong Thammachat temple, this historic shipping warehouse-turned cultural centre sits along the Chao Phraya riverfront. Originally built in 1850 in traditional Chinese courtyard style, it was completely refurbished in 2016 and now houses a collection of trendy cafés, arty boutiques, a Thai-Chinese history centre, and an outdoor stage for theatre performances. The main attraction at Lhong 1919, however, is its ornate shrine to Mazu, the ancient Chinese goddess of the sea.


Wat Thong Noppakhun / 103 Somdet Chao Phraya Rd 17, Khlong San, Bangkok / bangkokforvisitors.com
Wat Thong Thammachat / 141 Somdet Chao Phraya Rd, Khlong San, Bangkok / bangkokforvisitors.com
Lhong 1919 / 248 Chiang Mai Rd, Khlong San, Bangkok / @Lhong1919

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