Wat Yannawa, a special temple in Bangkok

(ukawajung / Shutterstock.com)

South of the Taksin bridge in the Sathon district (Bangkok) is the What Yannawa. It's an old one Temple which was already built in the time of Ayutthaya kingdom.

However, the striking thing about this temple is its shape. It is made in the shape of a Chinese junk and was designed that way at the request of King Nang Klao (Rama III). With this unusual shape, he wanted to remind his subjects of the old ship models to which Siam owed its wealth.

The ship's hull is parallel to the Chao Phraya and arranged as if it were sailing down the river. The whole is made of concrete. Two chedis are set up on the spot of the two masts and where the wheelhouse should be, the altar is located. In front of the monument is the statue of Rama III and his achievements between 1824 and 1851 are mentioned on marble slabs in three languages ​​Thai, Chinese and English. order came. Both trade and science flourished again. This made it possible to give Bangkok more allure and to expand. It should be mentioned separately that the king also contributed to progress from private property. He was known to keep the money in red bags under his bed. As an honorary title he was nicknamed: “Father of the Thai trade”.

On May 24, 2007, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit unveiled his memorial at Wat Yannawa.

In the same year, this Wat was in the news when the abbot of the Wat Yannawa decided to have the original cottages on the grounds and surroundings demolished to allow the possibility of a new hotel along the bank of the Chao Phraya. The entire Chinese community with the historic houses had to make way for this and a large parking lot was also built. Offers to renovate this area were ignored and historical ignorance and money prevailed.

– Relocated in memory of Lodewijk Lagemaat † February 24, 2021 –