The Dragon Temple in Amphoe Sam Phran, Nakhon Pathom province Thailand

Wat Sam Phran, known as The Dragon Temple, is about 40 km west of Bangkok. Because of its location, it is not easy to get to. The most convenient way to visit Wat Sam Phran from Bangkok is to get a Bolt or Grab. Bolt or Grab is an app similar to Uber and is the most commonly used ride-share app in Southeast Asia. The ride to the temple generally costs between 400 – 500 baht (12 - 15 USD) each way, and you can ask your driver to wait for you while you explore. I prefer Bolt over Grab. Bolt is cheaper, and the Grab drivers are known to take your ride request only to cancel, and this is a waste of your time.

It’s best to have your driver wait, as finding a Bolt/Grab back to Bangkok from Wat Sam Phran can be challenging. Generally, drivers are happy to wait for you, as they would have to drive back to Bangkok anyway. Although they may ask for a small additional fee that you can negotiate. You can cut the cost of the ride by sharing the journey with others or even try your luck by sharing a ride back with people who are also visiting the temple (although don’t rely on this). 

Cash on you is essential as you may be asked to pay some money for the fare back into Bangkok. I experienced this during my visit, even though I paid with a card via the Bolt/Grab app to reach Wat Sam Phran. Plus, having cash to leave a small donation at the temple or buy food from the food stalls is a good idea.

With a unique fusion of Thai and Chinese architecture, Wat Sam Phran is one of Bangkok’s best-kept secrets. It is a must for anyone planning their next trip to Thailand. The best part is that there are barely any people here, meaning you can enjoy Wat Sam Phran all to yourself. 

Wat Sam Phran boasts a rich and enchanting history that dates back to the early 20th century. This dusty pink Buddhist temple rises about 265 feet, with the vibrant 17-story dragon sculpture wrapping around the exterior.

There isn’t much known about the temple’s origins, but it’s said that its construction began in 1978 under the guidance of the temple’s abbot, Luang Pho Uttama. The dragon symbolizes the ascent to enlightenment and is believed to protect the temple from evil spirits. Wat Sam Phran is a beautiful pink temple and a temple complex with meditation areas, living quarters, and food stalls.

Wat Sam Phran’s opening hours are 6 am to 6 pm, 7 days a week. The temple is free to enter. However, you’re encouraged to leave a donation when you visit the temple. There are a few donation boxes throughout the temple, and you can find local women sitting inside where you can leave a small donation of money. Around 50 – 150 baht ($1.50 to $3.00 USD) is enough for your visit.

Wat Sam Phran is almost always quiet. It is incredible to walk around the jungle; on the ground level, you can find plenty of statues and offerings. Around the grounds, practicing monks visit to pray, making the whole atmosphere very tranquil. 

Many people don’t know this, but you can climb the dragon's interior to the temple's roof. The dragon has fans inside to keep it a little cooler, but be prepared, as it is pretty hot, and there are 17 stories to climb. When you reach the top, fantastic views surround you, and there are a few lookout platforms where you can enjoy the views fully.

The best part of visiting is climbing up the 17 stories in the interior of the dragon, up to Wat Sam Phrans rooftop. The roof boasts beautiful views of the surrounding jungle and Buddha to the side of the temple. Here, you can also look closely at the dragon’s head. Climbing up to the top takes about 10 minutes, so if you choose to skip this, you can see the temple grounds within an hour.

Despite its unique architecture, Wat Sam Phran is still a temple. If you plan to come here, you should prepare culturally appropriate clothes. Make sure your clothes are long enough to cover the shoulders and knees. Do not wear body-hugging, see-through, over-ripped, or revealing clothes, or you will be refused entry to Wat Sam Phran. If you are already there wearing a skirt or sleeveless blouse, you can cover up with a scarf or sarong.

Everyone will be asked to remove their shoes before entering the tower or any temples, so I recommend wearing simple shoes that come off quickly.

Like any place of worship, you must be respectful, which includes:

• Not climbing on any statues or monuments.

• Keeping your shoes off in allocated areas is a sign of respect.

• Speaking quietly inside the temple and around the grounds.

• Dressing appropriately for visiting a temple.

• Respecting monks and people praying. 

Little thoughtful pieces of etiquette like this make not only your experience more special but also the locals who look after and visit Wat Sam Phran, who appreciate tourists who take care of where they visit. 

NOTES:

• You should know a few things before heading to Wat Sam Phran. Like most of Thailand, the temple gets incredibly hot during the day, and because it is in the jungle, it also gets very humid. Try visiting the temple in the morning before the heat kicks in.

• This is especially important if you want to visit the Buddha for pictures. The Buddha is part of the temple complex, so you have to leave your shoes off, and in the hot midday sun, the rooftop gets incredibly hot for bare feet.

• You should also know that some food stalls aren't always open because the temple can be quiet. During the busier times of the week, like the weekends, you tend to find more happening with the stalls, but it’s best to bring a snack just in case. There are always stalls selling drinks, though!

• The cheapest way to get to Wat Sam Phran is by bus. This can be tricky, but it's worth it if you are trying to save money. You have to take the number 84 bus from Bangkok, which will take 70 minutes and cost 25 baht ($0.75 USD).

• The 84 bus in Bangkok has nine stops and operates every day. The route starts at (Wat Rai Khing) and ends at (Soi Mo Si). The regular schedule hours are 05:00 - 21:45

  
  

• Here is a link to show the bus information:

• Bangkok Bus Line: 84

  
  

• The bus drops you 4 km down the road from the temple, so you can get a cheap Bolt/Grab taxi to the entrance of Wat Sam Phran.

• When you try to secure a Bolt/Grab ride, a little warning: Taking the Motorbike option is not for the faint of heart. They are all over the road, lane splitting, lane crossing in stopped traffic, and sometimes even on the sidewalks. The objective is to get you from point A to point B as fast as possible. I did this once just to experience it, and you are literally hanging on for your life.

• I stated earlier that you are in the Thailand jungle so remember to bring plenty of water, especially if you are planning on climbing the tower. You can also purchase it from the vendors and get about a 32-oz container for 40 THB ($1.00 USD).