I was up early yesterday morning to apply for a Russian visa. Finishing earlier than expected, I walked to nearby Sam Yan to visit one of Bangkok’s main city centre temples. If you don’t have enough time to go to all the way to the historic district around the Grand Palace and want the to visit a Thai temple with a lot of typically Thai ornamentation (glitz and glamour?), this one is easy to get to from Silom and Suriwong.

 

Situated by Exit 1 of Sam Yan MRT station (one along from Silom on Rama 4) -

 

 

- the popular Wat Hua Lam Phong is easily seen from the overhead expressway going west towards Hualamphong station or as you walk from Silom to Sam Yan. But because the temple is set quite high above the road, it’s also easy to miss if you are in a taxi going along Rama 4. Some guidebooks suggest it was built so high to avoid flooding.

 

The exterior is similar to many other Thai temples, but looks especially impressive in the morning when the sun strikes it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The main attraction inside are the wall murals in the ordination hall. Wat Hua Lam Phong is often called the Coffin Temple as many visitors make donations for coffins and the burial ceremonies of the poor and destitute.

I have been there at least twice, once during day and once with boys from Soi Twilight after work. The temple seems to be open and busy 24 hours per day. There are some cows on the temple grounds.