Bangkok for Visitors

Wat Kanikaphon

Wat Kanikaphon

Overall view of the main prayer hall
Overall view of the main prayer hall

A short way from the more well known Wat Mangkon Kamalawat in Bangkok's Chinatown is the much smaller temple of Wat Kanikaphon. The temple was actually founded by a brothel owner late in the nineteen century. The ubosot has some interesting features, such as the dark green tiles decorating the window frames, and the carved wooden grills that frame the ubosot's porches.

The main prayer hall, showing the 'curtains' froming the portico
The main prayer hall, showing the 'curtains' froming the portico

These last details, which resemble tied curtains, are perhaps meant to recall the curtains of the brothels run by the temple's founder.

Next to the ubosot is a smaller, plainer wiharn which houses a rather western looking Buddha image. Behind the wiharn is a covered gallery protecting several Buddha images.