Wat Klang Worawihan

Wat Klang Worawihan is a second-class royal temple (Phra Aram Luang Worawihan) located in Pak Nam Subdistrict, Mueang Samut Prakan District, Samut Prakan Province, near the mouth of the Chao Phraya River. Originally built in the late Ayutthaya period, it was restored and elevated to royal temple status in the early Rattanakosin period. It is notable for its historic ubosot, traditional Thai architecture, and role as a central Buddhist temple for the Samut Prakan community.

Visitors can expect a compact, active Buddhist temple compound in central Samut Prakan town near the Chao Phraya River. The site includes an ordination hall (ubosot), viharn, chedi, Buddha images, and monastic buildings set around paved courtyards with mature trees. The interior features mural paintings and gilded Buddha statues. The atmosphere is quiet and religious, with areas for prayer and merit-making. Visitors can walk around the halls, observe architecture, and view religious art.

Wat Klang Worawihan was originally built in the late Ayutthaya period and was formerly known as Wat Khok Khwai. It was restored during the reign of King Rama III in the early Rattanakosin period and later granted status as a second-class royal temple of the Worawihan type. The temple has served as the principal temple of Samut Prakan town and reflects architectural styles from the Ayutthaya to Rattanakosin eras.

The temple is an important Theravada Buddhist religious site for the local community in Samut Prakan. As a royal temple, it hosts major Buddhist ceremonies, merit-making activities, and annual religious festivals. It serves as a center for Buddhist education and cultural preservation in Pak Nam and is respected for its historic Buddha images and traditional temple art.