Wat Ku Temple at Pak Kret Bang Phut sub district Thailand

Wat Ku in Pak kret is a stunning temple with a tragic history. Built in 1752, the temple is of Mon architecture with mural paintings in the same style. One of the buildings was built in commemoration of King Rama V’s Queen Sunandha who died tragically. The story is heart wrenching: the Queen drowned in a shipwreck while pregnant and could not be saved despite the presence of many onlookers. This was due to the law stating that commoners could not lay eyes on or touch royalty on pain of death. This law was later revoked and Wat Ku was named after the tragedy.

Wat Ku in Pakkred is one of many temples in the area, but it is the only one to share such a dark past. Historical records show that the Queen’s remains were temporarily placed in the monastery before Lying-in-State in Bangkok. The capsized ship’s wreck was later and kept in the dock near the edifice enshrining a big reclining Buddha. The is another pavilion built in Bang Pa-In Palace built in remembrance as the palace was her original destination before the Queen’s untimely death at the age of 19.

Wat Ku in Pakkred, Nonthaburi. Visitors can get there by car or by boat from Pakkred Pier.