Wat Rai Khing is another prominent and notable temple in Nakhon Pathom Province in addition to Wat Phra Pathom Chedi, which is the provincial temple. Wat Rai Khing is located along the Tha Chin River, Tambon Rai Khing, Amphoe Sam Phran on Petchkasem Road, west of Bangkok. And not far from other attractions such as Sampran Riverside, Samphran Elephant Ground & Zoo etc. It is a civilian monastery built in 1791. Somdej Phra Phuttha Chan, who is a Sam Phran people named this temple after the tambon. When construction was completed, the Buddha image was brought from Wat Sala Poon and enshrined here, later the locals named the imageLuang Por Wat Rai Khing. The Buddha image is in the attitude of Buddha Subduing Mara. The Buddha image is of Chiang Saen style and is assumed to have been built by Lanna Thai and Lan Xang craftsmen. According to legend, this Buddha image was found floating in the river, along with four other Buddha images, namely Luang Por Sothon of Wat Sothonwararam in Chachoengsao, Luang Por Ban Laem of Wat Ban Laem in Samut Songkhram, Luang Por To of Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai in Bang Phli, Samut Prakan and Luang Por Thong of Wat Khao Takrao in Ban Laem, Phetchaburi all of which are the principal Buddha images in the prominent temples of all central basin. Therefore, believed that all five were brothers. Prince Vajirananavarorasa granted temple the name of Wat Mongkol Chinda Ram but the locals call the temple Wat Mongkol Chinda Ram Rai Khing, later it was shorten to Wat Rai Khing. The temple is well known among Thais, faithful Buddhists frequently pay a visit to Wat Rai Khing to pay homage to the sacred Buddha image. Every Saturdays and Sundays, food and fruits are sold in front of the temple. This temple is also renowned for its natural fish sanctuary, a habitat of hundreds of thousands of iridescent shark and black-spotted catfish. Visitors can buy bread or fish food here to feed these fish. Also, the temple pier is home to a delicious spicy tom yum noodles soup restaurant. Moreover, visitors can travel to the Wat Don Wai Floating Market, another famous floating market which is a source of various Thai food of the province, not far from here by taking Tha ChinRiver cruise and can also see the scenery on both sides of the river and the way of life of the locals as well.
