Slowly swallowed by the sea Wat Khun Samut Chin also known as Wat Khun Samutrawat stands defiant. This incredible temple in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok is a testament to nature’s relentless power. It’s a unique journey to reach this temple. You’ll need a boat trip from a tiny pier called Tha Rua Pali.
Wat Khun Samutrawat’s history is intertwined with the encroaching ocean. Once far from the water’s edge the temple is now surrounded by it. Informative panels at the temple show how the ocean has advanced in recent decades. The ordination hall or Ubosot shows the effects of rising waters most clearly. Its base sits constantly in mud. Visitors access the Ubosot via a board placed halfway up the door. The temple floor has also been raised.
Wat Khun Samutrawat is fighting back against the sea. Embankments have been reinforced and the temple has expanded its presence on the water. A new Chinese-style Viharn dedicated to the Bodhisattva Guanyin faces the horizon. A ten-meter-tall Buddha image also faces the sea. This Buddha performs the Abhaya-mudra a gesture to calm the ocean.
Despite these efforts Wat Khun Samutrawat’s future remains uncertain. The temple’s very existence as a Buddhist monastery is precarious. Don’t delay your visit to this incredible temple. Witness its unique beauty before it’s too late.
Before you leave consider enjoying some fresh oysters. A small restaurant near the temple’s entrance serves them without the shell. The nearby hamlet of Khun Chin offers a peaceful contrast to the temple’s dramatic struggle against the sea. Your journey back to Bangkok follows the same route. Take a boat then perhaps a blue van or taxi back to the city.