Monks from Wat Saket Visit Historic 'Floating Chapel' in Surat Thani

A delegation of senior monks from Wat Saket in Bangkok recently traveled to Wat Thung Siet, located in the Tha Rong Chang sub-district of Surat Thani province, to explore the temple's renowned 'Floating Chapel.' This site is celebrated for its unique design and its role as a local heritage landmark.

The chapel is situated in the center of a large pond spanning over 13 rai. Its architecture features a white, boat-shaped base that supports the main ordination hall, symbolizing the 'Dharma Boat'—a Buddhist concept representing the vessel that carries beings across the ocean of suffering. A replica of the Buddha's relics is also enshrined on the structure. The current chapel was built to replace an older, weathered version, though the temple has preserved historical artifacts from the original site, such as ancient wooden pillars and roof finials, to serve as educational tools for future generations.

According to Phra Khru Sara Sothikhun, the abbot of Wat Thung Siet, the temple has a history dating back to 1867. For travelers and residents, this site offers a glimpse into regional Buddhist architecture and local history. While the visit highlights the site's cultural importance, further details regarding specific public visiting hours or potential restoration projects for the remaining ancient artifacts have not been officially confirmed.