As soon as Vietnamese people arrived in Thailand over 200 years ago, the first Vietnamese pagodas were built. These Vietnamese pagodas enjoyed supports from the monarch of Siam, especially Kings Rama III, Rama IV and Rama V.
Since then, the traditional Vietnamese Buddhism started to develop in the Kingdom of Thailand, a country where Buddhism was recognized the state religion and followed by approximately 94% of the total population.
In 1889, over 100 years after being brought to Thailand, the Buddhist tradition practiced by Vietnamese in the country was officially recognized and named as “Annamnikaya” by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) as one of Buddhist sects of Thailand. Thai Kings themselves gave names to and appointed abbots of these Vietnamese-built pagodas, and Annamnikaya became one of the only two Buddhist sects brought from other countries in the kingdom.
According to Vietnamese Ambassador to Thái Lan Nguyễn Tất Thành, most of Vietnamese pagodas in Thailand were built in the 19th century and during 1960s and 1970s.
Although Thai Theravada Buddhism has many different features from the Mahayana Buddhist tradition practiced by Vietnamese, many Thai people frequently visit Vietnamese pagodas in the country. In particular, Princess of Thailand Maha Chakri Sirindhorn always supports the upgrade of these pagodas and preservation of Vietnamese cultural characteristics in the pagodas, including the attachment of nameplates in Vietnamese. For her, Vietnamese-built pagodas officially become part of Thai Buddhism, however these pagodas have distinctive features and contribute to enrich Buddhism in the host country.
According to the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand, given support from Thai authorities on occasion of celebrating 40 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries (1976 – 2016), six Vietnamese pagodas in Thailand attached the plates of Vietnamese names to these pagodas, in addition to Thai names.
Pho Phuoc and Tu Te pagodas in Bangkok, two long-standing pagodas of Vietnamese people in Thailand, were fitted with plates bearing their Vietnamese names on August 21st. Tu Te pagoda is the place President Ho Chi Minh did revolutionary activities in the Kingdom of Thailand in the early 20th century. This pagoda attracted many Vietnamese tourists when they came to Thailand. While Pho Phuoc pagoda, also called Pho Phuoc Sangha Institute, is home to the headquarters of Annamnikaya. The event at Pho Phuoc pagoda saw the attendance of the head monk at Pho Phuoc Pagoda Thich Kinh Chieu, the Charge d’affaires of Vietnam’s Embassy in Thailand Phạm Thành Nam, and Head of Bangkok’s disctric Manat Prachuap Jinda.
Khanh Tho pagoda in Thailand’s western province of Kanchanaburi, regarded as the center of Annamnikaya in the country, was attached with its Vietnamese nameplate at a solemn ceremony held on June 29. The pagoda was constructed in 1834 with permission from King Phra Nangklao Chaoyuhua (Kinh Rama III) and named Thavorn Wararam in 1896 by King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V). His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Her Majesty Queen Regent Sirikit, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and Princes Chulabhorn Walailak paid a visit to the pagoda in 1973. Speaking at the ceremony for attaching the Vietnamese nameplate to the pagoda, Vice Governor of Kanchanaburi province Bunyaphan Chanthanauray said the move is a meaningful activity marking the 70th Anniversary of Accession to the Throne of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and makes the pagoda become more popular among Buddhists and tourists. He also hailed remarkable contributions of Vietnamese residing in the province to the promotion of cultural values of Buddhism in the host community. .
Long Son Pagoda in Kanchanaburi province also attached its plate bearing the Vietnamese name on June 29. The pagoda was built in 1883 with permission of King Chulalongkorn. This Buddhist temple has been classified as “the model temple” for three consecutive years of 1993, 1994 and 1995. In addition, Princes of Thailand Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presented to the pagoda a title honoring its effort in environmental protection in 1995. Especially, on occasion of opening the Vietnamese Culture Days in Thailand as part of events celebrating the 40th anniversary of Vietnam-Thailand diplomatic ties (1976-2016), Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam and Governor of Bangkok Sukhumbhand on August 11 attached a Vietnamese nameplate for Khanh Van (U Phai Rat Bamrung) pagoda, which was built by overseas Vietnamese in Thailand in the 18th century.
So far, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Nguyễn Tất Thành, 21 Vietnamese pagodas in Thailand have been officially recognized, and seven out of these pagodas have been fitted with their Vietnamese nameplates. The recognition of two more pagodas in Mukdahan and Sakaeo are also under consideration.
Vietnamese pagodas are places where overseas Vietnamese people exchange and meet each other, especially during Lunar New Year Festivals and annual Buddhist cultural events, such as Vu Lan (Buddhist Parents’ Day) Festival.
Vietnamese pagodas are places where overseas Vietnamese people exchange and meet each other, especially during Lunar New Year Festivals and annual Buddhist cultural events, such as Vu Lan (Buddhist Parents’ Day) Festival. In particular, Khanh An pagoda in the northeastern province of Udon Thani has become a venue for frequent cultural activities by overseas Vietnamese, hosted ceremonies to pray for peace for fallen soldiers and organized classes to teach Vietnamese language to children of overseas Vietnamese. The pagoda was attached its Vietnamese nameplate in February 2016.
Assistance by Thai authorities extended to pagodas built by overseas Vietnamese in the country has demonstrated the respect and development support for Buddhism in the kingdom of Thailand, as well as practically met cultural, spiritual needs of Vietnamese communities and contributed to promote cultural exchange and diplomatic tie between Vietnam and Thailand.
Below are Vietnamese-built Buddhist pagodas having been recorgnized in the Kingdom of Thailand:
1. Quang Phuoc pagoda (Wat Annamnikaiyaram): The first Buddhist temple built by Vietnamese immigrants in Thailand, constructed in 1787 and named by the King of Siam; addr: 803/1 Pracharat sai 1, Bangsue, BANGKOK 10800.
2. Khanh Van pagoda (Wat U Phai Rat Bamrung). The second Vietnamese-built temple in Thailand, constructed late 18th century and its Vietnamese nameplate attached in 2016; addr: 864 Charoenkrung, Taladnoi, Samphanthawong, BANGKOK 10100.
3. Hoi Khanh pagoda (Wat Mongkol Samakhom). Built around late 18th century and early 19th century with its Vietnamese nameplate already attached; addr: 48 Plaeng Nam Rd, Samphanthawong, BANGKOK 10100.
4. Khanh Tho pagoda (Wat Thavorn Wararam). Built in 1834 and named by the King of Siam with its Vietnamese nameplate attached in 2016; addr: 3 Chaokhunnen Rd., Ban Nua, Amphor Muang, KANCHANABURI 71000.
5. Canh Phuoc/Ong Nam pagoda (Wat Somananam Boriharn). Built in 1840 and named by the King of Siam; addr: 416 Lukluang Rd., Mahanak, Dusit, BANGKOK 10300.
6. Phuoc Dien pagoda (Wat Khetnaboonyaram). Buil in 1840s; addr: 28 Khwang Rd., Tambon Watmai, Amphor Muang, CHANTHABURI 22000.
7. Pho Phuoc pagoda (Wat Kusolsamakorn). Built in around 1850s currently headquarters of Annamnikaya; addr: 97, Ratchawong Rd., Samphanthawong, BANGKOK 10100.
8. Thuy Ngan pagoda (Wat Chaiya Pumnikaram). Built in around 1850s; addr: 30 Yaowapanich, Chakkrawat, Samphanthawong, BANGKOK 10100.
9. Tu Te pagoda (Wat Lokanukor). Built in around 1850s; addr: 126 Ratchawong Rd., Samphanthawong, BANGKOK 10100.
10. Khanh Tho pagoda (Wat Thavorn Wararam Hatyai). Built in 1965; addr: 33 Suphasarnrangsan Soi 1 Rd, Hat Yai District, SONGKHLA 90110.
11. Khanh An pagoda (Wat Sunthorn Pradit). Given construction permit in 1966 and its Vietnamese nameplate attached in 2016; addr: 44/3 Adulyadej Rd., Tambon Mak Heng, Amphor Muang, UDON THANI 41000.
12. Tam Bao Cong pagoda (Wat Uthai Patikaram). Named by the King of Siam in 1907 and recognized as Vietnamese temple in around 1960s; addr: 475/7K Suphakit Rd., Namuang, Amphor Muang, CHACHOENGSAO 24000.
13. Long Son pagoda (Wat Tham Khao Noi). Built in 1883, recognized as Vietnamese temple in around 1960s, and its Vietnamese nameplate attached in 2016; addr: 18/1 Ban Muangchum, Moo 5, Tambon Muangchum, Amphor Thamuang, KANCHANABURI 71110.
14. Khanh Sanh pagoda (Wat Mahayan Kanchana Mat Ratbumrung). Built in 1960s; addr: 9 Mahaphat, Sateng, Amphor Muang, YALA 95000.
15. Ngoc Thanh pagoda (Wat Anamnikai Chalerm Phrachomphansakal). Built in 1960s; addr: 208 Moo 1, Tambon Don Manao, Amphor Songphinong, SUPHANBURI 72110.
16. Pho Chieu pagoda (Wat Sattha Yim Phanich Wararam). Built in 1960s; addr: 63/66 Nararat Uthit Rd., Tha Sai, Amphor Muang, SAMUT SAKHON 74000.
17. Hung Thanh pagoda (Wat Dhamma Panyaram Bang Muang). Built in 1960s; addr: 107-108 Bang Chang, Sam Phran District, NAKHON PATHOM 73110.
18. Hung Phuoc pagoda (Wat Charoen Boonphaisan. Built in 1960s; addr: 179 Ban Noong Fep, Moo 3, Tambon Tha Makham, Amphor Muang, KANCHANABURI 71000.
19. Phuoc Tho pagoda (Wat Noparat Wanaram). Built in 1960s; addr: Ban Thungbon, Moo 1, Tambon Padthawi, Amphor Makham, CHANTHABURI 22150.
20. Van Tho pagoda (Wat Muenpi Wanaram). Built in 1960s; addr: 251 Moo 11 Ban Pakret, Tambon Pak Raet, Amphor Banpong, RATCHABURI 70110.
21. Hung Van pagoda (Wat Sirisanya Thammapanyaram). Recognized as Vietnamese Buddhist temple in 2016; addr: Rangsit Klong 7, PATHUM THANI./.
Quang Nhuong
