Wat Yai Chom Prasat

Wat Yai Chom Prasat is an Ayutthaya-era monastery on the banks of the Tha Chin River in Samut Sakhon, estimated to have been built during the reign of King Maha Chakkraphat — making it over 400 years old. King Rama V later elevated it to royal status, granting the temple a set of the Tripitaka scriptures and renaming it Wat Yai Sakhon Buri; the present name came later. The Fine Arts Department registered it as a national ancient monument on 27 September 1936.

The ordination hall (ubosot) is the temple’s centrepiece and the reason most visitors make the trip. Its wooden doors are carved in four successive layers, creating a relief with genuine three-dimensional depth — an exceptional feat of traditional craftsmanship. One door panel is carved with vines, flowers and animals in a Thai floral style; another depicts a Chinese pine forest, reflecting the Chinese craftsmen believed to have worked alongside local artisans. The doors and windows of both the old and new chapels follow the same carved-floral tradition, and the principal Buddha image inside is attributed to the early Rattanakosin period.

The temple remains an active place of worship. Morning visits between 08:00 and 10:00 allow you to observe monks’ daily routines at a quiet pace. Dress modestly — covered shoulders and long trousers or skirts — and remove shoes before entering any building. Parking is available on site, and admission is free.