Wat Maha But Temple - Mae Nak Shrine

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About Wat Maha But Temple - Mae Nak Shrine

The enchanting allure of this place is undeniable. It is a place of beauty, adorned with the statue of Mae-nak, a figure of Thai folklore. Many locals and a few adventurous travelers are drawn to this place, seeking luck in their wishes and gambling endeavors. It is a place where dreams are said to come true, a place of hope and faith.

The temple is not just a place of worship, but also a place of love and tragedy. It is visited by many locals who pray for luck in the lottery and their love lives. The temple is steeped in a deeply moving love story about the devoted Mae Nak and her lost husband. The tale is sad and tragic, but deeply moving, adding a unique feel to the temple.

The temple is also a bustling marketplace, with vendors selling food and animals. In Buddhism, setting animals free is a form of making merit, and the nearby river provides the perfect place for this act of kindness. The temple is a place of faith, commerce, and charity, all intertwined in a unique blend of culture and religion.

The Mae Nak shrine is a particular point of interest. It is said that if you wish for something at this holy place, your wishes will come true. The shrine is not easy to find, as the locals don't speak much English. However, simply mentioning Mae Nak's name will lead you to the shrine. It is a place of miracles, where wishes are said to come true in a day. If your wish is granted, it is customary to give a dress as a token of gratitude.

The temple is easily accessible from O Nut Station, and you can either walk or take a motorbike taxi for 40-50 THB. The temple offers a unique Thai folklore experience, and despite some locals being terrified of the place, there is nothing really scary about it. You can feed the birds for 10 THB or release eels and fish into the water for good merit. However, be aware that the local food and clothing prices can be a bit high compared to other places.

The temple is a vibrant, active religious shrine, where you can observe the clear integration of folk Buddhism into daily life. You can see people being counseled and advised, fish and turtles being released as prayers for relatives and/or pregnancy, flowers and food being offered, and religious items for home use being purchased. The temple is a local destination, seemingly off the tourist circuit, offering a unique and authentic experience.

The Wat Mahabut complex, located alongside the Phra Khanong klong, is a fascinating place. It houses the shrine to the TV-watching Thai ghost Mae Nak, making it one of the weirdest places in Bangkok. You can also find a shrine with a clothed praying mechanical human skeleton, surrounded by devotees pinning their lottery tickets to the wall. You can purchase fish, eels, and baby turtles to release in the Phra Khanong klong for good merit.

The temple is also infamous for its two versions regarding pregnant women. Some go to the shrine at the back of the Wat near the river to pray for a smooth delivery, while others advise pregnant women to avoid this area totally. Women who do not want their husbands to be enlisted in the army come and make a wish here. If their wishes come true, they must return and pay the dancers or give offerings. It is a place of faith, hope, and gratitude, where dreams are said to come true.