Bang Nam Phueng Nok Museum, Renovated by Bangchak Group in Celebration of Its 40th Anniversary, Stepping into Its Fifth Decade

On 17 February 2025, His Holiness Somdej Phra Maha Ratchamongkol Muni (Somdej Thongchai Thammathacho), a member of the Sangha Supreme Council, Chief of the Central Region, and Deputy Abbot of Wat Traimit Witthayaram Worawihan, honored the event by presiding over the monastic congregation along with His Holiness Phra Thep Samut Wachirachan, Chief of Samut Prakan Province and Abbot of Wat Bang Phli Nai Royal Temple; His Holiness Phra Thep Wachira Koson, Deputy Abbot of Bangkok, Deputy Chief of the Royal Pali Studies Office, and Abbot of Wat Bang Na Nok; His Holiness Phra Wachirathada, Deputy Chief of Samut Prakan Province and Abbot of Wat Klang Worawihan; His Holiness Phra Wachirathada, Chief of Phra Pradaeng District and Abbot of Wat Phaichayonphonsep Ratchaworawihan; Phra Khru Panya Thiranuwatt, Ph.D., Abbot of Wat Bang Nam Phueng Nai; Phra Khru Sangkharak Wiraphon Chanthawaro, Abbot of Wat Bang Nam Phueng Nok; and other monks who participated in the opening ceremony of Wat Bang Nam Phueng Nok Museum in Phra Pradaeng District, Samut Prakan Province. Mr. Chaiwat Kovavisarach, Group Chief Executive Officer and President of Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited, presided over the lay attendees, Bangchak Group executives and employees, along with Pilot Officer Cherdpong Ketchinda, Warden of Wat Bang Nam Phueng Nok; Mr. Manas Rasamitat, a former member of the Samut Prakan Provincial Administrative Organization; executives of Bang Nam Phueng and Bang Kobua Subdistrict Administrative Organizations, Phra Pradaeng District, Samut Prakan Province; the Director of Wat Bang Nam Phueng Nok School; the Director of Wat Bang Nam Phueng Nai School; community leaders; and local residents who participated in the opening ceremony of Wat Bang Nam Phueng Nok Museum.

The museum is situated on the second floor of the temple’s sermon hall. Bangchak Group renovated the space, transforming it into a museum dedicated to Buddha images and antiques. This initiative aims to preserve cultural heritage while enhancing key tourist attractions and sites of spiritual significance, contributing to Thailand’s historical landscape. The renovations at Wat Bang Nam Phueng in Samut Prakan Province were undertaken to commemorate Bangchak’s 40th anniversary as it enters its fifth decade.

Wat Bang Nam Phueng Nok is situated on the banks of the Chao Phraya River and is believed to be over 350 years old. Stone inscriptions suggest that the temple was built around 1667 during the late Ayutthaya period.

The renovation and establishment of the Wat Bang Nam Phueng Nok Museum are part of Bangchak Group’s social and public welfare initiatives undertaken in celebration of its 40th anniversary as it enters its fifth decade. This project continues the efforts surrounding the construction and consecration of the Phra Mathuthammathara Buddha statue, which was enshrined in the old chapel at the end of 2024.