“Cheap plot of swampy jungle” sounds unappealing doesn’t it? Yet, that is how Wat Meh Liew began.
Welcome to Wat Meh Liew. This Thai Buddhist temple stands in Kuala Lumpur’s Pekeliling district near Bulatan Pahang. Its story is truly fascinating.
Wat Meh Liew’s roots go back to the late 1920s. A Chinese-Thai woman named Madam Yap Yoke Liew from Phuket established it. She was married to a Singhalese Buddhist. Together, they bought a plot of land next to the Gombak River. This area was known as Kampung Siam. It is now called Pekeliling.
Thai monks began migrating to Malaya at that time. Madam Yap Yoke Liew built Wat Meh Liew for them. There were no immigration controls back then. Soon, other Thai families settled here seeking better opportunities. By 1930, over 300 Siamese families called Kampung Siam home.
World War II brought challenges. The British worried about Thailand’s lack of opposition to the Japanese. The Thai population in Kampung Siam was considered a security risk. Young men were rounded up. They were deported to Madras and imprisoned for the war’s duration.
After the war, life was hard. After Malaysian independence, the Thai population dwindled. Despite these challenges, Wat Meh Liew persevered.
Today, Wat Meh Liew attracts Buddhists from Kuala Lumpur and beyond. It houses many Buddha, Guan Yin and other statues. The entrance features a decorative Thai-style gate. It shows a painting of Buddha sitting on a lotus leaf.
Inside, you will find a large seated Buddha statue. A plaque commemorates the temple’s consecration. H.H. The Sangha Raja of Thailand Somdej Phra Ariyavongsakatayan consecrated it on March 15th 1968.
Amulets, statues, and Buddhist literature are available for purchase. These donations support the temple.
Behind the main hall are wooden buildings for monks. You will find many more statues there too. Two statues are kept behind bars. Gamblers visit them seeking lottery luck. They offer cigarettes and Guinness to the statues.
Wat Meh Liew stands as a testament to faith and resilience. It reflects the history of Kuala Lumpur’s Thai community. It began as a simple temple in a swampy area. Now, it is a cherished place of worship.