Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai, a royal temple in Samut Prakan province, is flooded with water levels reaching up to 2 meters at some points. Meanwhile, two corpses from drowning incidents last week still await cremation, and monks and novices are unable to go out for alms.
At 3:00 p.m. on 29 Sep 2026 GMT+7, reporters visited Samut Prakan province, focusing on flooding in Bang Phli district. Floodwaters remain high in several locations. They then proceeded to check the situation inside Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai, a royal temple also known as Wat Luang Pho To Bang Phli, located on Sukhaphiban 6 Road, Bang Phli Yai subdistrict, Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan.
Surveys found widespread flooding inside the temple grounds, with water levels ranging from about 1.5 to 2 meters—chest-high in some areas and nearly head-high in others—making movement difficult. The temple has temporarily closed its ordination hall, and over 100 shops inside the temple have shut down as they cannot operate normally.
Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai, or Wat Luang Pho To Bang Phli, is an important site where many locals and tourists normally come to pay respect to the principal Buddha image. However, due to flooding, visitors cannot come for merit-making or to worship as usual. Additionally, two corpses remain at the temple awaiting cremation, which cannot proceed due to the flood.
Mr. Somporn Srivilai, 72, a municipal council member of Bang Phli Zone 1, said that floodwaters began rushing in quickly on 25 Sep. Water levels were low in the morning but rose rapidly in the afternoon, preventing the temple from moving valuables to higher ground in time. Consequently, carpets, candle cabinets, and various equipment were damaged by the flood. Also, two corpses from last week's drowning incidents remain awaiting cremation because the flood has made normal ceremonies impossible.
Mr. Somporn added that water levels have only slightly receded, and it is unclear when conditions will return to normal. Once the water subsides, cleanup and restoration must be urgent since the temple is scheduled to hold the Lotus Receiving Festival in just over 10 days. Prompt clearing of debris brought in by floodwaters is necessary. Additional inflows of water could raise levels again and cause further damage.
Mr. Bampen Srivilai, village headman of Village 10, said that monks and novices currently cannot perform alms rounds normally. There are over 100 monks, novices, and staff inside the temple who urgently need boxed meals because they cannot go out to buy supplies. Previously, a kind donor provided about 90 boxed meals for one day, but no further support has been received.
Mr. Bampen added that although water levels have begun to drop by just over an inch, accessing the temple remains difficult. Regular cars cannot pass; only high-clearance vehicles can enter. He appealed to kind-hearted individuals and relevant agencies to help provide boxed meals to alleviate the monks' and novices' hardship during this flooding situation.