Temples Beyond the City

Sam Khok is particularly interesting because of its historic Mon settlement and riverside culture.

The surrounding Chao Phraya / Mon cultural landscape is the interesting part - Pathum Thani has a much stronger Mon cultural presence than most Bangkok visitors realize.

Particularly interesting because of the old canal community, elephant-related history, old Thai house and temple museum.

A Buddhist temple in Pak Nam, Samut Prakan - historic origins, traditional Thai temple architecture, and a peaceful stop for visitors interested in the area's religious heritage.

A very unusual feature: the Buddha image wears sunglasses, connected with an old belief about protecting the Buddha's eyes during an epidemic. In Samut Sakhon - working-port, fishing-town Thailand rather than Bangkok.

A local temple within a network of nearby temples in Phra Samut Chedi district - a convenient stop for exploring the local communities rather than a major tourist attraction.

Small, peaceful, local temple rather than a monument designed for visitors - everyday Thai spiritual life.

A neighbourhood temple in Phra Samut Chedi District, Samut Prakan - a local place of worship and community activity.

Photo: กสิณธร ราชโอรส / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons (resized)

Best known for its leaning Khmer-style prang, tilting roughly 15 degrees west. The ground subsided over a century ago, yet the tower has remained stable ever since.

Photo: Preecha / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons (resized)

Rama III-era temple combining Thai and Chinese architecture, right on the Chao Phraya. Fortress-like walls and glazed ceramic decoration make it look very different from the classic Bangkok temple aesthetic.

Photo: Charin ninsu / CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons (resized)

A completely different visual experience: 13 white stupas arranged together, with strong Burmese architectural influence. Also an important meditation center.

A temple in a coastal community where the coastline has moved dramatically inland.

Wat Khun Samutrawat and the disappearing village - the story of coastal erosion.

Photo: Supanut Arunoprayote / CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons (resized)

Old coastal fortress, mangrove, long wooden walkway, sea landscape and military history - the fort sits on a small island area at the mouth of the Chao Phraya, with a nature walk through the mangrove.