Wat Phet Samut

THAILAND, Samut Songkhram

The temple was originally called Wat Sri Champa and it is one of the most important temples in the province. It is unclear exactly when the temple was constructed. According to legend, in 1764 the fishermen of Ban Laem village found two Buddha statues in the sea and one of them is enshrined at this temple. The temple was renovated and expanded, then renamed Wat Ban Laem. In 1955 the temple was listed as a third class royal temple and its official name became Wat Phet Samut Worawihan.
The temple faces east and includes the main temple gate, ordination hall, lecture hall, and 16 small stupas. The ordination hall is the main building and it is 8 m wide and 16 m long. The roof consists of multiple tiers and sections, and is covered in red tiles. The walls are painted white, while the door and window frames are in gold. The pediments are carved with golden flowers. The sacred Buddha statue known as Luang Pho Wat Ban Laem, which is 1.7 m high, is enshrined within the ordination hall. The statue is made of an alloy of zinc and copper in Sukhothai style. The statue is standing majestically holding an alms bowl. The fishermen venerated the statue, which is said to leave no prayers unanswered. The temple acquired numerous devotees as a result.