Wat Chaeng

Wat Chaeng sits in the market town of Bang Khla, Chachoengsao — not to be confused with Bangkok’s Wat Arun, which carried this same name before Rama II renamed it. This is a separate, working temple with its own history: tradition holds it was founded during the Thonburi era, after Chao Phraya Maha Kasatsuek (the future Rama I) passed through at dawn while returning from a military campaign in Cambodia. “Chaeng” means clear or bright, marking that first light. Entry is free, daily 08:00-17:00.

The ordination hall mixes Thai and Chinese architectural elements, a style common to temples along this stretch of the Bang Pakong river basin where Chinese trading communities settled generations ago. The temple’s best-known feature today is a shrine to Thao Wetsuwan (Kubera, guardian of wealth), depicted here standing on three legs — a form specific to this temple that draws visitors from across the province seeking blessings for money and good fortune. Morning chanting and merit-making are part of the daily routine; come early if you want to see monks going about their rituals rather than an empty hall.

Insider Tip: Visit between 8 and 10 AM to catch the temple at its most active and beat the afternoon heat — the three-legged Thao Wetsuwan shrine gets busiest on weekends when locals come specifically to pray for luck.

Watch out: Don’t assume this is the famous Wat Arun/Wat Chaeng of Bangkok tour itineraries — it isn’t, and taxi drivers unfamiliar with Bang Khla sometimes make the same mix-up. Confirm “Wat Chaeng, Bang Khla” specifically.

Dress modestly — covered shoulders and knees — and remove shoes before entering the halls. The temple sits on Rabiap Kit Anuson Road and is an easy add-on to the Bang Khla Floating Market a short walk away, both reachable from Chachoengsao town by local transport.