San Chaopho Suea (Tiger God Shrine), Bangkok曼谷打恼路玄天上帝庙

Type: Overseas Daoist Temples
Location: Thailand · Bangkok · Phra Nakhon District · 468 Tanao Road, Khwaeng San Chaopho Suea, Phra Nakhon (near the Giant Swing, Sao Chingcha)
Coordinates: 13.7539, 100.4971 Map ↗
First built: 1834 · The reign of Rama III, according to the inscription on the old bell in the shrine; moved from its original site when Rama V widened Bamrung Mueang Road
Heritage status: Thai Ancient Monument (โบราณสถาน, declared 1988)

Overview

The Tanao Road temple of the Supreme Emperor of the Dark Heaven, popularly called the “Tiger God Shrine” (Thai: San Chaopho Suea), was founded in 1834, in the reign of Rama III, by Chinese of Teochew origin; its principal deity is the Supreme Emperor of the Dark Heaven (Zhenwu), with Lord Guan, Mazu the Empress of Heaven, the God of Wealth and the Great Sage Equal to Heaven enshrined alongside. This is one of the shrines in Bangkok whose Daoist character can most securely be established — its principal deity, the Supreme Emperor of the Dark Heaven, is the Daoist god of the north, which sets it apart from the many local establishments that exist in Buddhist form or as Chinese charitable halls. The shrine originally stood on Bamrung Mueang Road and was moved to its present site when Rama V widened that road; the subdistrict (khwaeng) in which it stands is named after it. It was designated a Bangkok historic monument (โบราณสถาน) in 1988 and is a stop on the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s “nine-temple pilgrimage” route, drawing dense worship at the Lunar New Year and on the deities’ birthdays.

Highlights

One of the most securely attested Daoist shrines in Bangkok
Principally enshrines the Supreme Emperor of the Dark Heaven, with Guandi, Mazu and the Great Sage Equal to Heaven also worshipped
Designated a Thai historic monument in 1988
The subdistrict in which it stands is named after the shrine
A stop on the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s “nine-temple pilgrimage” route

References