One of a few thing revered by the Chinese Thais is the “Sam Po Hut Kong or Sam Po Kong,” Bangkok’s biggest image located in Wat Kanlayanamit, a royal monastery on the Bangkok Yai Canal, the former village of Chinese monks called “Kudi Chin.”
In 1765, Chao Phraya Nikon Bodin (To, founder of the Kanlayanamit House) donated this piece of land and the temple. Rama III graciously named it Wat Kanlayanamit. He also had an image hall built for the big presiding image called Phra Phuttha trairattana Nayok (Sam Po Kong, or Luang Pho To). The king wished to follow the Ayutthaya tradition, having a huge image, like that of Wat Phananchoeng in Ayutthaya, outside the city wall. Both Thais and Chinese believe that paying homage to Sam Po Kong will help with their trading venture and instigate safe journeys all year round.
Apart from revered artifacts, the temple contains several invaluable works of art, especially the royally-preferred Chinese style, such as the gable of the image hall, and a painting of the Chinese dedication table set. The congregation hall is the nation’s only which features an image in the Pa Lilai Attitude, a very popular image among believers looking for solace.
