Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai
Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai is a Thai Buddhist temple in the area of Bang Phli Yai Subdistrict, Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan Province, outskirts Bangkok.
The temple is classified as the third rank of royal temple, and has a long history since the middle Ayutthaya period. It was formerly known as Wat Phlapphla Chai Chana Songkhram as it was built to commemorate King Naresuan's victory over Burma army in this area.
This temple is well known from the principal Buddha statue that is called Luang Pho To, one of the most revered Buddha statues in Thailand. According to folklore, it was first sighted floating in the Khlong Samrong canal by one of three brothers who were escaping the war with the Burmese during the Ayutthaya period. While some folklore says it floated along the tides, along with four other Buddha statues or two statues, all of which are sacred Buddha statues in the central basin of Wat Sothonwararam in Chachoengsao, Luang Pho Wat Rai Khing of Wat Rai Khing in Nakhon Pathom, Luang Pho Ban Laem of Wat Ban Laem in Samut Songkram, and Luang Pho Thong or Luang Pho Wat Khao Takrao.
In addition, Old Bang Phli Market, a traditional marketplace and community lines along the Khlong Samrong next to the temple. The community contains many different shops, which are getting rare these day. More than 100 years old, it still retains the quaint charm of the old day. Regarded as another interesting cultural attraction of Bang Phli.
Both temple and market are situated behind Big C Bang Phli, Thepharak Rd km 13.
