Information and Directions
Wat Phet Samut Worawihan is located near the centre of Samut Songkhram Thailand. It is an important local temple and as the name(Worawihan) indicates it is under royal patronage. There has been a temple on the site for many years and it was originally called Wat Sri Champa. Locally it is also often referred to as Wat Ban Laem.
One version of history has it that during the Ayutthaya period the local people moved away from the coast where the temple is located and set up home at Ban Laem(further inland) hence the local name for the temple. Later they wanted to restore the temple and having found some Buddha images tangled in their fishing nets in the Gulf of Thailand they set about the task. One standing Buddha image was renovated and is included in the current day temple.
The recovered Buddha image is said to have magical powers and have been responsible for many miracles. Over the years word of this has spread and the temple has prospered from visitors wishing to make merit before the image, Luang Pho Ban Laem(recovered Buddha image). This subsequently led to the temple receiving royal status from the current King of Thailand and being renamed with its modern name.
Besides the usual collection of temple building there is a museum on site that contains a collection of Buddhist artefacts.
The temple is best approached on foot from the town centre although there is limited parking on the site but this is difficult to find. One entrance is about 500m due North of Mae Klong Railway station which is the Western terminal on the Mahachai to Mae Klong railway.
GPS Co-ordinates: 13.409296 + 99.998006
Opinion
Wat Phet Samut Worawihan Samut Songkhram is certainly worth a visit, the temple is fairly busy at most times. The Buddha images and the museum are probably the best features to see. Photography can be difficult due to crowds and the placement of awnings.
You could combine the visit with a trip on the Mahachai-Mae Klong Railway or as a break from exploring the Amphawa floating market. The temple is about two miles from the statue and museum celebrating Thailand’s famous Siamese Twins Chang and Eng Bunker who were born in the town.
Last Visited: October 2010
View Wat Phet Samut Worawihan on a map of the area
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