Wat Yannawa

The temple was built during the Ayutthaya Kingdom, before the founding of Bangkok.[1] It was originally called Wat Kok Khwai (วัดคอกควาย) because the community of Dawei people in the area bought and sold buffalo; later, it was renamed as Wat Kok Krabue (วัดคอกกระบือ).[2]

During the reigh of King Rama I, the temple gained royal status and the ubosot was built.[2] During the reign of King Rama III, a viharn was built in the shape of a Chinese junk. The temple was renamed as Wat Yannawa, which translates as "the boat temple".[1] The two chedis on the deck represent masts and the altar at the back represents the wheelhouse. Because of this unique structure, locals call the temple “sampao chedi” ("the Chinese junk with chedis").[3] King Rama III chose the shape of a junk as a means of historical preservation; he believed the junk was becoming obsolete due to new ship types, and wanted to preserve its image.[2]

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  One of the minor chedis on the junk
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  Wat Yannawa before a major renovation
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  Wat Yannawa museum building
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  Walking Buddha statue
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  King Rama III sculpture standing in front of a chedi
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  Another minor chedi on the junk, decorated with flags

The "stern" of the ship enshrines four Buddha statues and replica footprints, including Thai and Chinese inscriptions.[2] The larger chedi has 20 wooden recesses, while the smaller one has 16.[4] There is also a room dedicated to relics, which some believe to come from Buddha.[5] The ubosot enshrines the principle of subduing Mara Buddha image and includes other buddha images.[2] Interestingly, on the doors and windows are painted images of a yaku jar (โถยาคู), a jar used for offerings in a royal ceremony. On the upper part of the door and back of the room is drawn a big Krathong (กระทง) in the style of used in the Loi Prathip Royal Lantern Festival (พระราชพิธีลอยพระประทีป). This kind of picture, at this size, is rare in Thailand.[2]

Relic from Sri Lanka

Three statues of the Goddess of Mercy are enshrined in a separate, Chinese-style temple,[4] and a building enshrines a Buddha relic from Sri Lanka.[6]

The land for Wat Yannawa was donated by the Wanglee family, one of Bangkok's five big Thai business families of Chinese descent. Wat Yannawa became the owner and leases the buildings to the occupants, but some descendants of the original tenants still live there. The Wanglee family have lived in Bangkok since King Rama V (1868–1910). In 2469, the Wanglee family built a row of houses based on the designs of a French architect. These old two-story shophouses are located in Soi Charoen Krung 52 (or Soi Wanglee) near the Chao Phraya River, just south of the Taksin Bridge station.[3]

Wanglee house

Just beyond the old houses used to be the river pier where mid-19th century Chinese immigrants disembarked after their long and hazardous sea journeys.[3] Most of Bangkok's Thai–Chinese community is of Teochew descent, a dialect group originating in Swatow (Shantou) on the eastern coast of Guangdong, China.[7]

The Wanglee estate served as a home for the extended family, a private river port to service the family's trading interests, and had extensive godown (warehouse facilities) with associated offices. Included is a shrine to Mazu, a Chinese goddess of the sea and maritime activity, fitting for a family whose wealth depended so much on sea trade. The center of the family's business activities has since shifted to Bangkok's modern business district, but the compound remains in family hands. After renovations, the family generously opened the compound in 2017 to the public.[7] It is now known as Lhong 1919. Facilities include cafes, boutique shops, and art galleries, but most importantly, the compound now hosts regular cultural events, theatrical performances, and exhibitions. This area has not been taken over for another high-rise condominium or hotel project. This preserves an important part of Bangkok's commercial history and Chinese immigration heritage. In this regard, Lhong 1919 is an important heritage site not just for Thailand but for all of Southeast Asia, showcasing how local Chinese commercial minorities made such an important contribution in terms of economic development and regional commercial integration.[7]

BTS Skytrain

Wat Yannawa is located at 40 Charoenkrung Rd., Yannawa, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120.[3] Wat Yannawa can be seen from the Chao Phraya River. The easiest way to go there is taking BTS Skytrain to Saphan Taksin then taking Exit 4;[5] or, taking the orange, yellow, or green line of the Chao Phraya River Express boat and getting off at Sathorn pier and walking a bit to temple.[1] Possible bus routes include 1, 15, 17, 35, 75, 163, 504, 544, and 547.[4] Nearby temples include Wat Suthiwararam and Wat Borom Sathon Sri Sutthi Sophon Rangsan, also known as Wat Don.[2]

The temple gate is open from 8am until 6pm. There is no admission for entry.[1]

• Buddhist temples in Thailand
• Architecture of Thailand
• Thai temple art and architecture
• Knowing Buddha
• List of Buddhist temples

• The temple's Facebook page

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