Dhamma Path Blog: Visiting Wat SamPhanThaWongSaram (Wat Ko) ~ 3 Storey Ubosot ~ Mae Chee Boon Ruen - Bangkok

Monday, September 1, 2025

Visiting Wat SamPhanThaWongSaram (Wat Ko) ~ 3 Storey Ubosot ~ Mae Chee Boon Ruen - Bangkok - Thailand (Part 2/2).

Wat SamPhanThaWong is famous for a layperson Khun Mae Boon Ruen Tongboonterm, who practiced meditation until achieving the 4th Jhana and 6th Abhijna. You can pay homage to her at this temple with museum of her (please see part 1/2). You can also pay homage to her amulets Phra Phuttho Noi. This temple is visited by many locals, but not many tourists.

This iconic sacred Ubosot, cherished by locals for generations, now needs restoration. We could see the banner for raising funds to do restoration Ubosot Ordination Hall of Wat SamPhanThaWongsaram Worawihan, also known in short Wat SamPhanThaWong.

The old photo (above) for the Ubosot. Wat SamPhanThaWongsaram Worawiharn, also known in short Wat SamPhanThaWong is a third grade royal Buddhist temple of Worawihan in Dhammayuttika Nikaya sect. It is situated in the area of Sampheng, also known as Bangkok's Chinatown. The monastery is an ancient temple, which was built in Ayutthaya period. It was formerly surrounded by natural khlong (canal) bridging to Chao Phraya River which brought its local name Wat Ko (the island temple). In the beginning of Rattanakosin in 1796, King Rama I renovated the entire temple and made it a royal temple with the name Wat Ko Kaew Langkaram. Later on, in the reign of King Rama IV, the name was changed to Wat SamPhanThaWongsaram Worawiharn in present, to honour Prince Samphanthawong (Chui), King Rama I's nephew who was the head of major temple restoration (its name also became the name of the district later).

The current Ubosot in progress restoration, the whole Ubosot safely covered with protective scaffolding and netting. Just partly second floor open for visitors.

The Ubosot ordination hall of Wat SamPhanThaWong was built in BE2506. It is 30 meters wide, 49 meters long, and 19 meters high. It is built on three floors in a Chaturamuk style. The purpose is to make the most of the limited space. The first floor is used as a Buddhist school, the second floor is used as a sermon hall, and the third floor is the ordination hall. Therefore, building this ordination hall is equivalent to building a school and a sermon hall for the temple as well. As of BE2565, the ordination hall is 54 years old and has deteriorated over time, despite periodic renovations. Therefore, Wat SamPhanThaWong has launched a major renovation project. They are inviting disciples and Buddhists from all four directions to join in the renovation of this important ordination hall, a living history that will continue for all time.

The Shrine for Ahpek RongSee or famously known as "Grandpa Kimkoey" in Wat SamPhanThaWong, if you unable to visit Pathum Thani shrine, this is another option in Bangkok. The well-known of AhPek RongSee ~ Grandpa Kimkoey is a Chinese old man who settled in Thailand and he was usually went to the Chinese shrine at Wat San Chao in Pathum Thani province. He was a owner of a rice mill and local people called him "AhPek RongSee". He is well known by his Wicha and Feng Shui teaching and like to help people and teach them to do good things. People often asked him for a favor about Feng Shui of their houses, establishments and their ancestors' graves and most of them were later prosperous in business.

The Lion Singha and Phra Thep NakProk as guards for the Ubosot at Wat SamPhanThaWong.

LP Phra Thammachirawimon (Natthamethee Suphaseno) is the current the abbot of Wat SamphanThaWong. His Holiness Phra Thammachirawimon, whose name is Natthamethee, nickname Suphaseno and surname Chandram, was born on December 4, 1961 (BE2504) the Year of the Ox (actual birth date is Friday, November 10, 1961) in Nakhon Sawan province. His father, Mr. Sanong Chandram, is a civil servant in the Royal Forest Department. His mother, Mrs. Ploy Nam Dok Mai, is a merchant. He is the first child of two siblings. He was ordained as novice on July 10, 1974 (BE2517), at the age of 13 years at Uthokhep Sima, the water abbot's raft, Wat Thep Sathaporn in Nakhon Sawan province with Phra Si Worakun (Nuan Witito) of Wat Manee Chonlakhan (Lopburi province), as the preceptor, Phra Khru Uthai Silakhun (Uthai Phanutthayo) of Wat Thep Sathaporn (Nakhon Sawan province), as the preceptor. He was ordained as monk on July 21, 1983 at the age of 21 at the Ubosot of Wat SamPhanThaWong, Bangkok. Somdet Phra Mahawirawong (Manit Thawaro), when he still held the ecclesiastical title of Phra Thammabandit, was the preceptor. Phra Thepsaramuni (Phet Sarathammo), when he still held the ecclesiastical title of Phra Pariyattisarasuthi, assistant abbot of Wat SamPhanThaWong, was the preceptor. Phra Phrom Methee (Chamnong Thammachari), when he still held the ecclesiastical title of Phra Khru Wibunsilwong, assistant abbot of Wat SamPhanThaWong, was the preceptor.

The main principal Buddha image inside the Ubosot ordination hall is a seated Buddha in Maravijaya attitude enshrined inside the second floor Ubosot. At the right, is the wax statue and portrait of the former abbot of Wat SamPhanThaWong ~ His Holiness Somdet Phra Mahawirawong (Manit Thawaro).

The statue of Mae Chee Boon Ruen enshrined inside the Ubosot Hall building.

Temple amulet counter with many holy items for rent.

This is the detail list of the main parts need to restore in the three floors Ubosot.

The sacred statues for former Kings of Thailand.

This Ubosot has three floors, but the third floor is currently closed to the public. I just managed selfie at front door on third floor.

Monks perform evening chanting on the second floor of the main hall.

The 2 Bell Towers in Wat SamPhanThaWong.

Small buildings are located on both sides of the main entrance of the Ubosot.

Merit for gilding the Sema stone of the Ubosot of Wat SamPhanThaWong.

Sala WiyuSaphan with enshrined many statues of Phra Buddha and Tao Wessuwan.

Shrine for Mercy Boddhisattvas Guan Yin, Phra Sivali, LP Waen Sujinno (resided here long time ago), LP Thuad, Phra Phutthacharn Toh and Hermit Lersi Chiwok.