After our previous trip to Bang Pu Recreation Center, today we continue exploring nature at Bang Krachao, Samut Prakan. This unique area is shaped like a pig’s stomach due to the curve of the Chao Phraya River surrounding it, and it is also the last major green zone — often referred to as the “lungs” of Samut Prakan and Bangkok.”
Bang Krachao covers six subdistricts: Bang Krachao, Song Khanong, Bang Yo, Bang Krasop, and Bang Nam Phueng. One of the must-do activities here is a relaxing bicycle ride through nature, breathing in the fresh, clean air. The bicycle rental fee is around 50 THB per day (prices may vary). If it’s your first time visiting and you’re worried about getting lost, you can always request a map from the bicycle rental shop.
- Address: 73 Wat Rat Rangsan Soi, Bang Kachao Subdistrict, Phra Pradaeng District, Samut Prakan Province
Opening Hours: Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan Park: 06:00–20:00 - Map: https://goo.gl/maps/dwSSHwKETgepZttr6
- Tel: –
- Website: –
2. Bang Nam Phueng Floating Market
Nearby Bang Kachao, another must-visit spot for food lovers is Bang Nam Phueng Floating Market. Here, locals bring their community-grown products to sell to visitors from fresh fruits straight from the garden, rare traditional Thai snacks such as khanom thuai, khanom chak, kluay khaek, ma hor, and various “gold” desserts, to hand-stirred kalamare and a variety of handmade crafts.
It is considered a way to promote eco-tourism and support the local community by giving residents the opportunity to earn income from selling their local produce. For anyone planning a visit, please note that the market is open only on Saturdays and Sundays, starting from around 8:00 AM until late afternoon.
- Address: Bang Nam Phueng Subdistrict, Phra Pradaeng District, Samut Prakan Province
- Map: https://goo.gl/maps/xfT7ukuuhQzpXELh9
- Opening Hours: Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from 08:00 to 16:00
- Tel: –
- Website: https://www.facebook.com/ตลาดน้ำบางน้ำผึ้ง
3. Thai Betta Fish Museum
For anyone who has finished walking around Bang Nam Phueng Floating Market but isn’t ready to head home yet, you can stop by the Thai Fighting Fish Museum, which is located nearby. The museum showcases a variety of beautiful betta fish and provides educational information about many different species. In addition, the place features Thai-style contemporary architecture and a nature study trail for visitors to explore.
The owner of the Thai Fighting Fish Museum is Mr. Peeraphong Thanompongpan, whose passion for raising fish began as a hobby. At first, he bred three main species: Chinese betta, Thai traditional betta, and wild betta. Over time, the number and variety of species increased significantly, eventually leading to the museum being opened for tourists to visit and enjoy.
- Address: 18/1 Moo 3, Soi Wat Ratsadrangsan, Bang Kachao Subdistrict, Phra Pradaeng District, Samut Prakan Province
- Map: https://goo.gl/maps/LSQkoCb8poefz3oy5
- Opening Hours: Saturday–Sunday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tel: 08-2391-5944
4. Brahma Maha Thewalai Temple in Bang Krachao.
Visiting Bang Krachao is already amazing, but there are plenty of nearby attractions you shouldn’t miss. For spiritual seekers like us, Wad Brahm Maha Thewalai is an absolute must-visit. It’s a new tourist landmark located along the cycling route from Wat Bang Nam Phueng to Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan Park.
Inside the temple stands a 9-meter-tall statue of Lord Ganesha in the Maharaja posture, where visitors can pay respect and make wishes. Lord Ganesha is the great deity of wisdom, known for removing obstacles and supporting success in all aspects. He is also revered as the god of arts, knowledge, and literature.
If you’re a believer in Lord Ganesha, this is one place you definitely can’t miss. Whether it’s wealth, career, or love — this is the spot to seek blessings!
If you’re looking to purchase a powerful blessing set, the venue also offers curated ritual kits at various price points, starting from 159 baht depending on your needs. Inside, you’ll find a wide range of spiritual rituals, making this truly a one-stop destination for all belief systems. Examples include:
The Ganesha Leg-Passing Ritual – A priest guides you through the ceremony, during which you may make one specific wish. Most people who participate in this ritual are said to achieve their wish within 1–3 months.
Four-Direction Candle Ritual for Thao Wessuwan – A ceremony to open pathways for prosperity, helping attract wealth and continuous good fortune.
Wealth-Invoking Ritual for the Naga Deities – A worship ritual dedicated to Grandfather Srisuttho and Grandmother Sripatumma inside the sacred Naga Underworld Pavilion.
Additionally, they offer destiny-enhancing rituals such as Na Nha Thong and Na Nha Ngern, believed to boost wealth, charm, and personal magnetism. For those who prefer fortune tattoos, the venue also provides sacred tattoo services, featuring exclusive designs from the Maha Dewalai Ganesha Shrine in Bang Kachao, including palm-line tattooing believed to block misfortune and open pathways to prosperity.
This place is not only home to the Ganesha Maha Raja statue, but also features several other revered deities, including:
Ganesha Maha Raja (Principal Deity)
Goddess Uma Devi
Lord Shiva Mahadev
Tao Wessuwan (Guardian Deity of Wealth and Protection)
Phutthawang Badan: Grandfather Srisuttho & Grandmother Sripatumma
Location: Soi Phet Hueng 33, Bang Nam Phueng Subdistrict, Samut Prakan
Facebook: Maha Thewalai – Phra Phikanet, Khung Bang Kachao
Opening Hours:
Monday: 09:00–18:00
Tuesday–Friday: 09:00–20:00
Saturday–Sunday: 09:00–21:00
- Map: https://goo.gl/maps/4fSgKppnZX9nEEFj9
- Telephone: 08-2068-8981
- Parking: Available in front of the venue
5. Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai (Luang Pho To)
The spiritual journey continues — once you enter the world of merit-making, it’s hard to walk away. So let’s keep going to another iconic temple in Samut Prakan, one that no visitor should miss: Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai (Luang Pho To), a Third-Class Royal Monastery with a long and legendary history.
More than 200 years ago, during a period when the kingdom was at war with Burma, it is said that three miraculous Buddha images floated down the river, each eventually finding its own sacred home:
Luang Pho Wat Ban Laem, now enshrined at Wat Ban Laem in Samut Songkhram Province
Luang Pho Sothon, now enshrined at Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan in Chachoengsao Province
Luang Pho To, who floated along the Chao Phraya River and entered the Samrong Canal
When villagers first discovered Luang Pho To, they attempted to bring the Buddha image ashore, but no matter how hard they tried, they were unsuccessful. They then performed a “phao-cha-lo” ritual, tying the Buddha image to a raft and making a solemn wish:
“If you wish to be enshrined in a particular place, please show us a sign by stopping the raft at that spot.”
The raft carrying the Buddha image drifted gently along the Samrong Canal until it came to a halt in front of Wat Plubpla Chai Chana Songkhram (the former name of Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai). No matter how many times they tried to paddle forward, the raft would not move.
Another prayer was made:
“If you wish to bless and protect the people of Bang Phli, granting them peace and prosperity, please allow us to bring you ashore with ease.”
Miraculously, after that humble plea, the villagers were finally able to lift the Buddha image from the water and enshrine it at Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai, where Luang Pho To remains highly revered to this day.
Every year, a replica of Luang Pho To is placed on a boat for the ‘Lotus-Throwing Ceremony’ (Rub Bua), held on the 14th waxing day of the 11th lunar month. Learn more >>> Rub Bua Tradition.
- Address: Bang Phli Yai Sub-district, Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan Province
Map Location: https://goo.gl/maps/geHNUvJjc9ZFbYqRA
Opening Hours: 06:00–18:00
Phone: +66 2 337 3489–90, +66 2 337 4059
Website: https://www.facebook.com/วัดบางพลีใหญ่ในพระอารามหลวง
Samut Prakan Provincial Office of Tourism and Sports: +66 2 707
6. Bang Phli Ancient Market
After leaving Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai (Luang Pho To), you can continue your walk at an old market that is more than 100 years old, located along the Samrong Canal next to the original market called Sirisophon Market. It is believed that Chinese settlers opened shops here around 1857 (B.E. 2400). Along both sides of the walkway parallel to the canal, you will find a wide variety of things to eat and buy — delicious local food, desserts, household items, souvenirs, beauty salons, clothing shops, and more.
This riverside market is home to a large local community and was once a very prosperous trading hub. In the past, it served as a transport point for goods and passengers traveling from the eastern coastal areas into Bangkok. Since boats were the main mode of transportation at that time, the Samrong Canal became an important center for trade and the exchange of goods along both of its banks.
- Address: Bang Phli Yai Subdistrict, Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan Province
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/T6EwAynTvDbZ2azd6
Opening hours: 09:00–18:00
7. Thammakatanyu Foundation’s Sian Lo Tai Tien Kong Shrine
The Thammakatanyu Foundation Shrine, also known as Wat Thammakatanyu or Sian Lo Tai Tien Kong, is a beautifully designed Chinese shrine. Its architecture is rich in ancient Chinese art and cultural elements, featuring exceptionally intricate stone carvings. The shrine also enshrines five sacred Taiwanese warrior deities:
The Li family deity
The Che family deity
The Wu family deity
The Chu family deity
The Fan family deity
Collectively, they are known as Wu Fu Xian Sui (Huang Wang Ye).
These five deities were highly virtuous generals and loyal ministers during the Ming Dynasty. They traveled south from Fujian Province and eventually arrived at Nankunshen in Taiwan, where they later became deeply revered by the local people.
Within the shrine grounds, visitors will also find green stone carvings depicting Chinese mythology, gold-plated wooden lanterns adorning the ceiling, as well as a Guanyin Shrine and other deities where one can pay respect and make wishes. Another highlight of the Thammakatanyu Foundation Shrine is its pair of giant stone lions, the largest in Thailand.
During annual festivals, the shrine lights up with beautiful red lanterns, creating a stunning atmosphere that feels just like being in China.
- Address: 5 Soi Muniti Thammakattanyu, Sukhumvit Road, Bang Pu Mai Subdistrict, Mueang Samut Prakan District, Samut Prakan Province
- Location: https://goo.gl/maps/UHRVdNafCDzzcuRU8
- Opening Hours: 08:00–17:00
