Chee Chin Khor
the pagoda on the Chao Phraya

Chee Chin Khor is a religious and benevolent foundation for disseminating Buddhist books on morals and prayers as well as conducting charitable programs funded by public donations to help the poor.

The eight-story pagoda on the grounds of this foundation is a prominent landmark along the Chao Phraya River. I’ve passed this stretch of the river several times and have often wondered about this Chinese temple.

But it's more than just a temple, let’s find out more about this architectural attraction on the Chao Phraya.

Temple building

Brief History of Chee Chin Khor

This foundation is officially known as the Chee Chin Khor Moral Uplifting Societies which is a member of the Moral Uplifting Societies of Thailand.

It was first established in 1952 in Wat Samannanam Borihan in Saphan Khao off Phitsanulok Road. HM King Rama IX presided over the official opening on 25 February 1953.

Later it moved to new premises in New Charoenpol Road and again to Chulalongkorn Soi 9 in Pathumwan.

It was only in the 1990s that the foundation bought its own land on the current location to build a temple and administration office. It was registered as the Chee Chin Khor Moral Uplifting for Benefit Foundation. The temple complex was officially opened by HRH Princess Sirindhorn on 27 April 1993.

The latest addition to the complex is a building behind the temple. It was officially opened by the Supreme Patriarch on 13 June 2018.

Besides disseminating Buddhist publications on morals and prayers, the foundation distributes rice, blankets and free coffins to the needy and subsidises student lunches at school. It also arranges for cremations of unidentified and unclaimed bodies.

Buddhist publications

The Temple Complex

Here’s an overview of the temple complex taken from the top floor of the pagoda.

The Chee Chin Khor complex

The temple stands on the foreground to the right. Note that on the second floor there are two separate buildings.

The building to the left of the temple is the office of the foundation. This is where donations are made and the administration of the foundation is carried out.

To the rear is the new building that was opened om 13 June 2018. It’s linked to the temple building by an overhead bridge on the second floor.

Temple grounds

Here are some of the attractions in the temple grounds by the river.

The words above read, “Peace and serenity in the eastern sun*”
*Eastern sun – eastern region or East Asia


Shrine for the Blessings of Good Morality


The wide spreading boughs of the ton sai (banyan tree)

The Temple

The temple has an altar on the first floor and a spiral staircase to the right winds upstairs to an eerie cave-like structure on the second floor.

The cave on the 2nd floor of the temple


Out in the open courtyard

New Building

Walk around the temple to the rear where there is a pedestrian bridge crossing to the new building. The new building, which was opened on 13 June 2018, consists of a display area on the second floor, a prayer room on the third and the fourth floor opens to a courtyard.

Besides the displays on the second floor, there is an ornately decorated door leading to a room. I didn’t know then that the board above the door translates to “Temple for seeking entrance to heaven”.

Entry to heaven

There are plates on the walls with the names of the deceased, I’m not sure if part of their remains are also stored here. Pictures on the walls illustrate wise sayings on the virtue of filial piety.

Courtyard on the 4th floor of the new building

The Pagoda

The pagoda is the main attraction of Chee Chin Khor, eight floors with different deities on each floor and a panoramic view of the Chao Phraya at the top. Let’s start from the bottom.

Wall of dragons behind the pagoda


The pagoda


Main door to the pagoda


2nd floor – the former Supreme Patriarch of Thailand


3rd floor – Guan Yin the Goddess of Mercy


4th floor


5th floor


6th floor


7th floor


8th floor – the Reclining Buddha

And here’s the reward for that strenuous climb, a panoramic view of the Chao Phraya River.

Wat Pathum Khongkha is directly opposite


Looking across the Chao Phraya to Chinatown

A visit to Chee Chin Khor is an interesting outing to a side of Bangkok that’s not frequented by many visitors. Even if we are not familiar with Buddhist and Taoist culture, the different architectural structures provide an opportunity for taking some beautiful photographs.

My Thanks

A big thank you to the volunteer from the foundation who gave us the booklets from the foundation, in particular the one with the history of the foundation.

My thanks also to my good friends Lee Suan Wan and Phua Tun Hung for their help in translating some of the Chinese text.

Map to Chee Chin Khor

Or click on this link to view the map to Chee Chin Khor

How to get there

By car

From Wong Wian Yai – Lat Ya Road – Somdet Chao Phraya Road – Soi Somdet Chao Phraya 17 – Chee Chin Khor

By BTS Sky Train

Take the Green Line (BTS Sky Train Silom Line) to S7 Krung Thonburi Station and from there take a taxi or tuk tuk to Soi Somdet Chao Phraya 17.

There are no regular boat services to this place

For more Bangkok Temples

My Journey through Thailand Part I The First Steps

This is my second e-book and the first in the series of travel journals on my trips to explore the various provinces in Thailand. This edition, which covers my travels from late 2009 to mid-2013, will guide you to historical sites, cultural monuments and exquisite Thai handicraft, across a vast spectrum of cultural and ethnic diversity.

You can have a virtual tour with this e-guide book or take the first steps yourself in this journey through Thailand.

My Kindle e-book

My Smashwords edition

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