Dhamma Path Blog: Revisited Famous Chinese Temple 同声善堂 (Tóng Shēng Shàn Táng) & Thong Sia Siang Thung Foundation - Song DaFeng (宋大峰祖師) Chinese Temple - HatYai City - Songkhla

Sunday, May 17, 2026

Revisited Famous Chinese Temple 同声善堂 (Tóng Shēng Shàn Táng) & Thong Sia Siang Thung Foundation - Song DaFeng (宋大峰祖師) Chinese Temple - HatYai City - Songkhla - Thailand.

Visiting Thong Sia Siang Thung Temple brings a peaceful and meaningful feeling. The calm atmosphere, the scent of incense, and the beautiful Chinese architecture create a sense of respect and spiritual connection. Giving a donation at the temple feels especially rewarding because it helps support charity work and people in need. It is not only an act of worship, but also a way to share kindness, compassion, and blessings with the community.

Thong Sia Siang Thung Foundation Temple is one of the most respected Chinese charitable temples in Hat Yai, Thailand. Established by the local Chinese community, the temple serves both as a place of worship and a center for charity and community service. Deeply rooted in Chinese culture and traditions, the foundation reflects the strong heritage of the Thai-Chinese community in southern Thailand. The temple is well known for its beautiful Chinese architecture, colorful decorations, and sacred shrines dedicated to various Chinese deities such as Song DaFeng (宋大峰祖師), Tua Pek Gong (福德伯公) and Mae Chao Lim Ko Niao (林府姑娘). Besides religious activities, the foundation is also involved in humanitarian work, including rescue services, funeral assistance, and support for people in need. Thong Sia Sieng Thung Foundation plays an important role during major Chinese festivals, especially the Vegetarian Festival, when thousands of devotees gather for ceremonies, prayers, and cultural celebrations. Today, the temple remains a symbol of faith, compassion, unity, and traditional Chinese values in Hat Yai.

The PaiFang (牌坊) of Thong Sia Siang Thung Temple (同聲善堂) is a ceremonial archway that marks the sacred entrance to the temple dedicated to Song Da Feng Zu Shi (宋大峰祖師), a respected figure known for promoting kindness, compassion, and helping others. The PaiFang symbolizes blessings, protection, and the temple’s charitable spirit. Next to the PaiFang is the donation building of the Thong Sia Siang Thung Foundation, where devotees and visitors can contribute donations to support charity work and help people in need. It reflects the temple’s mission of compassion, generosity, and community care.

This is the donation area located inside the foundation office building, where devotees and visitors can make charitable contributions.

The main pavilion of Thong Sia Siang Thung Temple (同声善堂), featuring traditional Chinese architectural design and religious ornamentation.

Song DaFeng (宋大峰祖師) a Buddhist monk of the Song Dynasty, once engaged in charities provided help collected corpses for free cremated and funeral, medical care, education, bridge building and other charities in Chaoyang of Guangdong Province. Song DaFeng (宋大峰祖師) was born in Zhejiang Province in year 1039 to a Wenzhou wealthy family, by surname Lin (林灵噩) from Fujian. When childhood, he studying Buddhist scriptures and got imperial Scholars awards and engaged magistrate duties. Until the age of 54, the political corruption was disappointed, he was quit and ordained as monk and promoted Buddhism everywhere. At the age of 81, heavy rains caused river flooding in Chaoyang of Guangdong Province, triggering plagues and other disasters and resulting in many unclaimed bodies. Song DaFeng (宋大峰祖師) collects corpses for cremation, sets up clinics, supplies food to those in need, and educates his disciples on the virtues of helping others. At year 1127, Song DaFeng was passed away at 88 years old. Because of the Song DaFeng (宋大峰祖師) merits, everyone is grateful. Therefore, after the death, it was widely enshrined by the Chaoshan people. There were many temples in Chaoshan, Hong Kong and other places in Southeast Asia also worshipped the Song DaFeng (宋大峰祖師).

Praying to Song Da Feng Zu Shi (宋大峰祖師) brings a feeling of peace, comfort, and spiritual strength. His teachings of compassion and helping others inspire devotees to practice kindness and generosity. Standing before his altar, many people feel calm, protected, and grateful while praying for blessings, good health, and guidance in life.

Photo taken with 福德正神 or 福德伯公, the revered deity of prosperity, protection and the landlord.

The altar is dedicated to 林府姑娘, Mae Chao Lim Ko Niao of Pattani origin. Positioned at the front is a Guman body dating from BE2537, where worshippers come to pray and pay their respects.

Displayed within the Thong Sia Siang Thung Foundation are portraits of its founder, Yongkiat Paiboon, established in BE2499, together with the committee members of the foundation.

Inside the pavilion of the Thong Sia Siang Thung Temple, numerous red lanterns hang beautifully from the ceiling, creating a traditional and festive atmosphere.

The whole area of Thong Sia Siang Thung Foundation with the building for the rescue division. Thong Sia Siang Thung Foundation is well known for its community welfare work and charitable services. Its activities include a dedicated rescue division that provides volunteer emergency support and disaster relief assistance. These services typically cover ambulance and basic emergency transport, first aid at incident scenes, disaster response for floods, fires, and accidents, as well as funeral support and coffin donations. In addition, the foundation may also operate free clinics and other forms of welfare aid for those in need.

The spacious hall at Thong Sia Siang Thung Temple, featuring a large awning, serves as a venue for various religious, cultural, and community events. Adjacent to the hall is the 三寶佛公 Pavilion, which enshrines statues of the Buddha, Bodhisattva Guanyin, and the Laughing Buddha.

The Dragon pillar in Thong Sia Siang Thung temple. The dragon is a symbol of power, protection, and good fortune, so it is often carved or painted on on Pillar for symbolize protection of the sacred space with strength, prosperity, and spiritual guardianship.

Within the Thong Sia Siang Thung Temple complex, there is a shrine dedicated to Brahma (Phra Phrom), where devotees offer prayers for blessings, protection, and good fortune.