Wat Hong Thong, Bang Pakong

Nice quiet place on the waterfront. Brilliantly designed with intricate carvings. The temple looks marvelous looking out over the sea on the Gulf of Thailand. The best thing I liked here was its serenity. Not like other temples that are usually overcrowded. Visited it twice in a month.

The simple temple with a wonderful setting overlooking the bay beacons many visitors. People offer prayers for the dear dead souls and also houses a huge complex for immersion of mortal remains of ash after cremation of the loved ones. People make merit and could also enter into to be temporary short-term monk hood experience. Has a decent coffee shop in the temple premises with a great atmosphere and view point. Parking and toilet facilities also maintained in the premises. A fresh warm setting and the chiming of temple bells fills the air coupled with the sea front view setting an heavenly experience. A modest place around bordering fishermen and salt fields. You could find crabs, dried fish, salt and Thai fish products on your way. A fish restaurant serving Thai food especially seafood and also vegetarian dishes is located adjacent to the temple with delicious seafood and sea-front location. People could hire small boats in the area for immersion of ashes into the sea or place them in the huge complex.

Beautiful temple on water with a scenery of the sea. Only access via private transportation. Crowded on weekends and holidays, there’re some restaurants and shop before you enter the temple’s area. Best to visit during sunset. Please respect the temple by appropriate behavior and dress-code.

A FANTASTIC UNIQUE EXPERIENCE. Wat Hong Thong is in TOP 3 of the hundreds of temples I have visited over the last 3 decades. it may not be the biggest oldest or the most stunning ornate temple one can imagine. But there was a very special balance between water Temple, nuns, and monks from the day I visited there it, all in all, did that I got a very special experience. It was also the first time that I heard that nuns and monks chanted together, they were very beautiful to listen to. I can only recommend visiting this amazing place.

It is called Wat Hong Thong which means the Golden Swan in Thai. I found this Temple somewhat amusing at first because at first sight it resembled a pier theatre, I expected someone playing the organ while rising from out of the floor. But when there, I found it an unusually serene Temple, with the structure being built over water. At the far end there is also a memorial for Prince Chumphon who is considered a patron saint for fishermen. Not many Temples in Thailand are built this way and it was strange to see but a marvellous concept and well worth a visit to this Temple. If you wish to travel by car, you need to drive down Highway 3 from Paknam or Samut Prakan. You need to go past Bang Pu Seaside Resort and also the fishing town of Klong Dan. A short while after the town, just after you cross the border into Chachoengsao, you will see a sign for a road on the right that leads to Wat Hong Thong. Wat Hong Thong, also known as Wat Klang Nam, is located in a mangrove forest area, Bang Pakong District, Chachoengsao. The temple has walkways connecting the shore with the stupa of Phrathat Khongkha Mahachedi Pricha Prapakon Prat Soranin Anusorn and Ubosot, the main hall, both of which are situated in the sea. The whole structure of the chedi has five levels with paintings concerning Buddhism and Thai kings, and several Buddha images hosted inside. On the highest level stands a golden stupa containing Arhats’ relics. From this level, visitors can overlook the sea as well as the shore. Additionally, while walking along the main walkway, you will see signs with morals written on them from which you can read and learn something. In addition, in the halfway point of the walkway stand sculptures of Phra Aphai Mani, Nang Phi Sua Samut, and other literary characters with a wooden walkway around the sculptures for visitors to have a closer look at them. On the first level of the Phrathat Khongkha Mahachedi, a replica of the Buddha image of Luang Phor Sothorn together with several other Buddha images is hosted for visitors to pay their respect to. In addition, the temple holds Tak Bat Phra Roi, a ceremony of almsgiving by putting coins into alms bowls in front of hundreds of Buddha images. The temple also provides a coin exchange booth. On the second floor is a wax replica of Luang Pu Sot, also known as Phra Mongkhon Thepmuni (Sot Chanthasaro) of Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen with a replica of the Emerald Buddha hosted nearby. Moreover, there are paintings of both former and current Thai Kings, and of the members of the royal family. Also from the second level, you can get good views of the sea. If you look out to the sea during high tide, you will feel like the building is floating on the water. On the highest level stands prominently a golden yellow Chedi with a hall underneath where visitors are allowed to enter. In the hall, there is an altar with the world’s first Arhats’ relics to be hosted in the sea. Furthermore, on the right side of the Chedi is another place of worship, the temple’s Ubosot. Located in the sea as well, it features beautiful wall paintings depicting the life and times of the Buddha. When I visited in 2015 a new section was being built to the right hand side.