Wat Phlapphla Chai, Buddhist temple in Pom Prap district, Thailand
Wat Phlapphla Chai is a registered historic Buddhist temple in the Pom Prap district of Bangkok, Thailand. The grounds hold several buildings with gilded rooftops, carved doorways, and painted interior walls, along with smaller shrines arranged around an open courtyard.
The temple was originally called Wat Khok and dates back to the Ayutthaya period, long before Bangkok became the capital. It was renamed during the reign of King Vajiravudh, when the site became connected to the training of the Wild Tiger Corps, a military unit he founded.
The temple sits along a busy road, yet people come here to pray quietly or sit near the gilded statues in the open courtyard. Monks follow their daily routines on the grounds, and visitors often watch the morning offering rituals from a respectful distance.
The temple is on Phlapphla Chai Road in Pom Prap, close to Luang Road, and easy to find on foot. Visitors should wear clothing that covers the shoulders and knees, as this is required throughout the grounds.
During archaeological work on the grounds, a large number of human remains were found, pointing to the site having once been used as an execution ground. This past is not visible today, but it shows how the same place can carry very different purposes across the centuries.
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