The New Year marks a fresh beginning in life. Many people choose to leave negative experiences behind by making merit to bring good fortune—whether through house blessings, offering alms to monks, visiting temples to make merit, receiving holy water blessings, or participating in misfortune-cleansing rituals at certain temples, following long-held Thai beliefs.
Another belief that’s especially important for spiritual followers is the concept of “Pi Chong” a traditional Chinese astrological belief (personal belief; please use discretion). It refers to major life changes that can be either positive or negative, and may affect many aspects of life such as love, career, finances, health, or even unexpected accidents. To prevent misfortune, many people seek out temples or sacred places to “ward off Pi Chong” each year.
Today, Maybis Hotel, the newest hotel in Samut Prakan, will take you to explore sacred places in the province that locals visit every year to counter the effects of Pi Chong. If you don’t want to miss out, follow along and check them out with us!
1. Shrine of Chao Pho Thap, Samut Prakan Province
The first must-visit highlight is the revered Chao Por Thap Shrine, a sacred place long worshipped by the local community in Samrong. The shrine is widely known for conducting “Kae Chong” (year-clash appeasement rituals) for those born in zodiac years considered in conflict, as well as for worshipping Tai Sui Deities and making merit through coffins donation rites. Many visitors also come to pay respects to the large statue of Luang Pu Thuad, believed to bring blessings and good fortune.
Historically, Samrong Nuea Subdistrict was once a major center of prosperity, featuring important transportation routes both by land—via Sukhumvit Road and the Samut Prakan–Hua Lamphong tram line—and by water through Khlong Samrong, which connects to both the Bang Pakong River and the Chao Phraya River.
According to local legends, villagers discovered the statue of Chao Por Thap floating along Khlong Samrong. Out of deep faith, they respectfully enshrined the statue at the present-day Chao Por Thap Shrine, which has remained a spiritual anchor for the community from past to present.
Location: Rim Thang Rotfai Pak Nam Road, Samrong Klang Subdistrict, Phra Pradaeng District, Samut Prakan Province
Website: www.chowportap.com
2. City Pillar Shrine of Pak Nam, Samut Prakan
This spot is another well-known place among the Thai-Chinese community in Pak Nam, especially for those who come to pray for blessings and perform kāe-chong rituals before the upcoming Chinese New Year. The City Pillar Shrine of Samut Prakan is located near Pak Nam Market and has been a sacred landmark of the city for more than 200 years.
The shrine was built as a combination of two beliefs: the Chinese shrine dedicated to Cheng Huang, the guardian deity of the city, and the provincial City Pillar (Lak Mueang). Together, they form what is known today as the City Pillar Shrine of Samut Prakan.
If you’ve never been here before and are unsure how to perform the rituals, don’t worry — staff are available on-site to guide you step by step through the proper way to make offerings and pay respect.
Location:
The Samut Prakan City Pillar Shrine is situated along Prakhon Chai Road, close to Pak Nam Market. You can get there easily by private car or by public transportation. Recommended bus routes include:
Bus No. 508 (Sanam Luang – Pak Nam)
Bus No. 142 (Pak Kret – Samut Prakan)
Bus No. 102 (Victory Monument – Pak Nam)
Bus No. 108 (Bang Khun Thian – Pak Nam)
Bus No. 40 (Tha Phra – Pak Nam)
3. Ruamkuson Foundation, Samut Prakan
Ruamkusol Foundation Samut Prakan is a revered place of worship dedicated to Luang Pu Tai Hong Kong and Tai Sui Yeh (Tai Sui Deity) for blessing one’s fortune and destiny. Visitors also pay respect to Cai Shen Yeh (God of Wealth) to seek prosperity and abundance. In addition, the foundation offers an opportunity to make merit by donating coffins for the underprivileged, which is considered a highly virtuous act.
This year, devotees of Luang Pu Tai Hong Zhou Shi Gong and those who have strong faith in Ruamkusol Foundation Samut Prakan can not only perform Tai Sui appeasement rituals but also join the annual Chinese New Year Festival, held from 29 January – 6 February 2025 (2568) — a 9-day, 9-night celebration featuring the following activities:
Paying homage to Luang Pu Tai Hong Kong for blessings, protection, and good fortune throughout the year
Worshipping Chinese lantern offerings for prosperity, success, wealth, and advancement in career
Submitting one’s birth chart to Tai Sui Yeh for protection and to counter annual misfortunes
Praying to Cai Shen Yeh (God of Wealth) for luck, prosperity, and financial abundance
Registering for the chanting of the Five Auspicious Blessings (Pa Keng)
Making merit by donating coffins, enhancing one’s fate and receiving one pair of auspicious oranges for free throughout the festival
Enjoying free “Yi” prosperity rice balls for all 9 days
Free meals provided three times a day, every day for all 9 days
Location:
Ruamkusol Foundation Samut Prakan, Thaiban Road, Pak Nam, Mueang District, Samut Prakan
Contact:
Tel. 02-175-8789, 02-175-8668 (24 hours)
4. Thammakatanyu Foundation Shrine (Xian Lo Tai Tian Gong)
Next, our fourth location is the Thammasatkatanyu Foundation Shrine – Xian Lo Tai Tian Gong.
Anyone who visits will be amazed by the stunning Taiwanese-style architecture. Every detail of the construction and design was crafted by artisans from Taiwan, making the entire place photogenic from every angle — you might even feel like you’re traveling in Taiwan!
Inside the Thammasatkatanyu Foundation Shrine – Xian Lo Tai Tian Gong, five revered warrior deities are enshrined, all of which were invited from Tainan City, Taiwan. There are also nine sacred spots where visitors can pay respect and pray for blessings in various aspects of life. Whether you wish to ward off bad luck, make merit, or simply enjoy taking beautiful photos, this place has everything in one spot.
Location: 5 Soi Thammasatkatanyu Foundation, Sukhumvit Road, Bang Pu Mai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Samut Prakan
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/DmtfhUFTuvw8hJkk9
Opening Hours: 08:00–17:00
5.Tai Hong Kong Shrine (Pak Nam, Samut Prakan)
Tai Hong Kong Shrine is an important spiritual landmark for Thai-Chinese communities in Samut Prakan. The shrine was established in dedication to Tai Hong Kong, a revered Chinese Buddhist monk renowned for his compassion and charitable deeds. Historically, he was a real monk who lived more than 1,000 years ago in Zhejiang Province. Originally a top scholar, he later chose to ordain as a monk and became widely respected for helping those in distress, including performing funeral rites for the poor an act that became legendary.
The shrine also houses statues of Guan Yin (the Goddess of Mercy), Maitreya Buddha, Lord Guan Yu, the God of Wealth (Cai Shen Ye), the Tiger God, and Tai Sui for visitors to pay their respects. Today, the shrine remains particularly popular during major festivals such as Chinese New Year.
Location (Tai Hong Kong Shrine – Paknam Branch):
405 Soi Thaiban 11, Thaiban, Paknam Subdistrict,
Mueang Samut Prakan District,
Samut Prakan 10270, Thailand
Facebook: Tai Hong Kong Paknam Foundation / Tai Hong Kong Shrine Paknam
Conclusion
Everything ultimately depends on personal beliefs. Still, making merit is always a good thing it brings peace of mind and emotional comfort to our daily lives. If you know this year is your zodiac-conflicting year (ปีชง) and are unsure where to visit, Samut Prakan is a great option. The province is full of fascinating attractions waiting to be explored.
From Samut Prakan Market, a paradise for shoppers, to fresh seafood markets, paying respects to Luang Pho Pan at Khlong Dan, worshipping at the Phra Samut Chedi, and enjoying eco-tourism activities at the famous Bangpu Recreation Center, there is truly something for everyone.
With so many places to visit and delicious restaurants to try, one day might not be enough. If you’d like to stay overnight, you’re welcome to relax with us at Maybis Hotel. We are happy to accommodate both individual guests and families and best of all, we are pet-friendly.
For room rates and more details, please visit our hotel website or check booking platforms such as Booking.com, Traveloka, or Agoda.
Contact & Location
Maybis Hotel
- 911 Moo 2 Phraeksa Mai, Mueang Samut Prakan, Samut Prakan 10280
- 02-180-8188
- 093 156 9466
- [email protected]
