Bang Bo: Temple Traditions and Pla salit

Bang Bo’s story is told through two distinct histories: nearby Khlong Dan is home to Wat Mongkhon Khothawat, while at district level, Pla salit tells the story of how agriculture in Bang Bo has changed. Are you more interested in religious history and an annual tradition, or in the development of a regionally renowned fish?

Wat Mongkhon Khothawat and Luang Pho Pan

Wat Mongkhon Khothawat is also known as Wat Luang Pho Pan. The temple’s monastic quarters house a statue of Luang Pho Pan, which devotees venerate. The temple was built in 1757 under its original name, Wat Bang Hia Nok. After the authorities changed the name of the subdistrict to Khlong Dan, the temple was also renamed. The names therefore have different historical contexts: Wat Bang Hia Nok is the original name, Wat Mongkhon Khothawat the later name, and Wat Luang Pho Pan another name for the temple.

An annual procession

The annual procession carrying the statue goes to the Bang Bo District Office. It takes place on the 5th to 7th day of the twelfth lunar month. Visitors offer gold leaf and pay homage to the statue there. This gives the temple tradition a recurring occasion whose date is set according to the lunar calendar. If you would like to plan your trip around the procession, check the specific calendar dates for your intended travel year. This lets you take the occasion into account when planning without equating the lunar month with a fixed date in the Western calendar.

Pla salit Bang Bo: Agriculture in transition

Pla salit Bang Bo offers another regional perspective. In Bang Bo District, residents gradually shifted from rice cultivation to raising the Pla salit fish, known as snakeskin gourami. This development gave rise to the name “Pla salit Bang Bo”, which is known throughout Thailand. On 29 December 2014, Samut Prakan designated Pla salit Bang Bo as the province’s fish. The name thus points to a change in agriculture in the district and to recognition at provincial level. For travellers interested in regional food culture, this offers a tangible way into the history behind the name.

With children, you can explore the two themes through questions: How did the temple’s name change? And how did rice cultivation give way to raising Pla salit? This brings together the local history of nearby Khlong Dan and a development at district level.

Choose the right base for your trip

If you are interested in the history of Pla salit, the focus is on the broader context of Bang Bo District. The topics therefore offer different points of emphasis for your trip. First consider which matters more to you, then compare the location of your accommodation with your plans.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Nong Prue, Talat, Khlong Dan, Bang Chalong, Samut Prakan, Samrong, Ban Rakat, Bang Mueang.

Back to the main travel overview: Samut Prakan.