There are about 100 temples, or wat, in Samut Prakarn Province. Some of these vary in style and size but according to the principles of Buddhist architecture, the structures within a temple should include a bot, or ubosot, for religious ceremonies such as ordinations; a wihan to house various Buddha images and for laypersons to take part in religious services; a Sala kanparien which is a large meeting hall which is not only used for religious services but also sometimes as a social or civic centre; a mondop for storing the Buddhist scriptures; chedi for housing sacred relics or images; a ho rakang, or belfry, to sound the time for ceremonies, prayers, etc. and kuti where the monks live. Some may also have a library, a crematorium and a school.

The following are some examples of the best temples in Samut Prakan Province. On each page there are between 4 and 10 pictures. There is a glossary with pictures which you might like to look at first to help explain some of the terms used.

Temples and other religious structures:

1. Wat Asokaram in Tambon Taiban, Amphoe Muang
2. Wat Bangduan Nai in Tambon Bangduan, Amphoe Muang
3. Wat Bangnanggreng in Tambon Bangduan, Amphoe Muang
4. Wat Potiyaram in Tambon Taiban, Amphoe Muang
5. Wat Klang Worawihan in Tambon Paknam, Amphoe Muang
6. Wat Mahawong, Tambon Bangmuang, Amphoe Muang.
7. Wat Chai Mongkon in Tambon Paknam, Amphoe Muang
8. Wat Nai Song Wihan in Tambon Paknam, Amphoe Muang
9. Wat Phichai Songkram in Tambon Paknam, Amphoe Muang
10. Wat Prodkatechethram in Tambon Songkanong, Phra Pradaeng District
11. Wat Paket in Tambon Song Khanong, Phra Pradaeng District
12. Wat Ratbamrung in Tambon Bang Poo, Amphoe Muang District
13. Wat Song Tham Worawihan in Tambon Tai Talad, Phra Pradaeng District
14. Wat Bang Plee Yai Nai next to Klong Samrong, Bang Plee District
15. Phra Samut Chedi in Phra Samut Chedi District
16. Other religious buildings and shrines

You might be interested to visit our Project Thailand web site which we have put together for students doing a project about Thailand. It contains some background information about Buddhism, including a report written by a student about his time as a novice monk.