Wat Hua Lamphong — Local services in Si Phraya Subdistrict

For those that want to discover the soul of a Nation, there are places one can go that reveal the true character of the People; sitting in the heart of Bangkok, there is a sacred Buddhist temple that is one of those places. In many ways Wat Hua Lampong is similar to the many beautiful temples sprinkled around this sprawling city; however, in one section, dozens of volunteers work tirelessly around the clock every day of the year to take donations that provide cremation coffins for those that cannot afford the final expense of life.

What is truly remarkable is the number of donors that make their way through Bangkok traffic to help the destitute; from early to late, quite literally 24 hours a day, a constant stream forms a queue to donate. Whether rich or poor, some come solely to make merit, bringing themselves good, hopefully increasing the quality of the next life and contributing to their growth towards enlightenment; however, some come to celebrate their own Birthday or other important event with donation and prayer. In any case, a wonderfully compassionate act.

It is here the Thai soul is most visible, the sheer numbers of donors from all walks of life is unlike anything I have seen before; business men and women, clerks, sales people, uniforms, working girls, and lady-boys.

All are here with a common goal; help those that cannot provide...

For Donating Coffin.

Location Guide: Take metro to Samyam Station. The donation area for coffin is run by a foundation. IT IS NOT LOCATED WITHIN THE TEMPLE. It is on the right (facing the temple entrance) of the temple, you won’t miss it with a Wheelock ramp.

Process: Enter into the premise and on the left are counters. Approach any vacant one and they will ask you to write your full name on the top of the pink slip. Highlight to the staff the amount to donate. To make things simpler, it’s 500 Baht per Coffin.

The staff will issue a receipt and write the amount and name. You can choose to donate more like 1000 Baht for 2 coffins. They will pass your back the pink slip and the receipt.

Walk behind the counter and you will see people applying glue (on the table) and walk towards the yellow boxes (coffin) and stick on it and offer a goodwill prayer. The staff will remove them periodically.

Once finish, walk out and Turn Left to the temple. You can lit the receipt on the candle and put it burning in...

A very centrally located Thai Buddhist Temple in Bangkok’s city center that opens 24 HOURS—yes, never closes—and popular with Thais and tourists alike who come here to pray, give alms, make donations, and receive blessings and many other good lucks. This “Wat” or temple is particularly famous for making donations for coffins and calico clothes to wrap the deceased, particularly those without relatives. It is a belief that making merit of coffin or donations for shrouds help to extend one’s life. This type of donation at this temple is so popular that there is a very well-established Ruamkatanyu Foundation (meaning “Joint Gratitude”) that has been around since 1970s located here and is open 24 hours. They accept donations to help with those who unfortunately died of accidents and their families don’t have the means to properly organize funeral or even purchase...