Riverside Temples of Nonthaburi
Which One to Visit

Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat Worawihan is a royal temple on the Chao Phraya River in Mueang Nonthaburi District, built during the reign of Rama III on land connected to the royal family. The first thing most people notice is the walls and corner forts surrounding the temple, built in a style resembling a city wall, giving it a stately, ancient feel unlike most temples. Inside, the ordination hall and vihara feature tiled decoration and patterns typical of the art of that era. The temple sits right by the river, with a shaded, fairly quiet atmosphere that's pleasant to walk around — a good fit for anyone who enjoys temples with a historical story and craftsmanship to admire, rather than a bustling crowd.

Most visitors come to pay respects to the principal Buddha image in the ordination hall, then walk around to view the architecture, the fortress walls, and the riverside spot where you can watch boats passing by on the Chao Phraya. Many past visitors say the charm here is the calm and the well-preserved age of the place — you get to pay respects and soak in the old riverside atmosphere of Nonthaburi town in one spot. Because it's within the town area, getting here is convenient, and it pairs well with exploring Nonthaburi's old town quarter or the pier area in a single trip.

One thing to keep in mind is that this temple is about a calm atmosphere and craftsmanship rather than flashy photo spots. Anyone looking for a lively scene or lots of food stalls might find it a bit quiet, but for those who enjoy a slow historical stroll, it's a great fit. Visiting in the morning or late afternoon gets you pleasant weather and nice light for photographing the riverside fortress walls. Dress modestly when entering the ordination hall area, and if you're planning to visit several temples in one day, starting at Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat since it's in town makes it easier to plan the rest of your schedule.

Wat Poramaiyikawat Worawihan is a key temple on Ko Kret, an island in the middle of the Chao Phraya River in Pak Kret District, and is the heart of the ethnic Mon community that has lived there for a long time. What many visitors remember most is the leaning Mon-style chedi by the water, which has tilted over time and become a landmark of Ko Kret that's visible even from the ferry ride over. Inside the temple are an ordination hall, a vihara, and artwork that reflects Mon culture blended with Thai craftsmanship, so a visit here means paying respects while also seeing the cultural roots of the community.

The appeal of visiting Wat Poramaiyikawat is that it comes packaged with exploring the whole of Ko Kret. Most people take the ferry from the Pak Kret side pier, then walk to pay respects at the temple before continuing on to walk the roadside market, which has local food, Thai sweets, and Mon pottery, one of the island's signature products. From what past visitors say, many enjoy the relaxed riverside strolling atmosphere — getting merit-making, food, and souvenirs all in one trip. It suits anyone who wants a holiday trip close to Bangkok without having to drive far.

Something to keep in mind is that on holidays and long weekends, Ko Kret gets very crowded — both the ferry queue and the market walkways get packed, so walking is slow and hot. It's best to go in the morning or on a weekday if you can, for an easier walk and clearer shots. Since you'll need to take a boat and walk a fair amount, wear comfortable walking shoes, bring a hat and water, and allow time for the ferry queue during busy periods. When entering the temple grounds, dress modestly and behave respectfully, both for the site and for the community around it.

For anyone who loves craftsmanship and architecture more than just paying respects, Wat Borommaracha Kanchanaphisek Anusorn, commonly known as Leng Noei Yi 2, in Bang Bua Thong District, offers a very different picture from a typical Thai temple. It's a Chinese-style Mahayana Buddhist temple built to commemorate an important royal occasion. The buildings form a group of large halls with tiered Chinese-style roofs, featuring patterns, pillars, gateways, and images of deities in the Chinese tradition, all rendered with great precision. Art lovers can easily spend a long time wandering and admiring the details.

Most visitors come specifically to pay respects to the Buddha images and deities in the Chinese Mahayana tradition, ask for blessings according to their beliefs, and walk around admiring the grandeur of the hall complex. The interior is spacious, orderly, and offers several spots for photographing Chinese craftsmanship. From what past visitors say, many are impressed by the refinement of the architecture and the calm, tidy state of the grounds — a great fit both for those who come to pray for blessings and those who come mainly to view the craftsmanship and take photos.

Something worth knowing is that this temple is in Bang Bua Thong District, which lies west of Nonthaburi's town center, considerably farther than the temples in town and on Ko Kret. If you plan to combine this temple with others in the same trip, you'll want to plan your route and allow extra travel time. A convenient approach is to clearly separate when you'll visit the town/Pak Kret zone versus the Bang Bua Thong zone, so you don't end up backtracking. When entering the hall area, dress modestly and behave respectfully, just as you would at any other temple, out of appropriateness and respect for the religious site.

If the previous three temples focus on craftsmanship and culture, Wat Chonlaprathan Rangsarit in Pak Kret District is the one that centers on practice and listening to dharma talks. This temple is known as a practice-focused temple linked to Luang Phor Panyananda Bhikkhu, a senior monk whom many Thai people respect and whose teachings they follow. The grounds inside are shaded by large trees, quiet, and pleasant to walk through, giving a very different feel from temples that emphasize grandeur. Most visitors come intending to make merit, listen to dharma talks, and find inner calm, rather than to sightsee and take photos.

What people typically do here is make merit, offer alms, listen to dharma teachings as part of the temple's activities, and take a quiet walk around the shaded grounds. Many past visitors say what they take away isn't beautiful photos but a sense of calm and insight from the teachings. The temple has laid out a fairly clear approach centered on simplicity and practice, making it a good fit for anyone who wants to make merit without heavy ritual, and who wants some quiet time for themselves on a day off.

Something to understand before visiting is that this is a practice-focused temple that places real importance on respectful, quiet behavior. Visitors should dress especially modestly and neatly, speak softly, and avoid making noise or engaging in activities that might disturb those who are there to practice. If you're interested in joining a dharma talk or meditation session, check the temple's schedule in advance, since activities vary by time period. The temple is in the Pak Kret area near Tiwanon–Chaengwattana Road, easy to reach, and pairs well with visiting temples in the Pak Kret zone or stopping by before or after a Ko Kret trip in the same outing.