Being the biggest religious minority in Thailand, Muslim culture is spread throughout the nation, especially around the southernmost areas. A large chunk of these Thai Muslims also reside in Bangkok and its grand, ancient, and archaic mosques are a symbol of the same.
Bangkok is home to 183 such mosques from 3943 known mosques spread across the country which gives the minority a community bonding and makes prayers to maintain their beliefs and cultural customs. You get to visit and meet the divine energy with each mosque telling its own story. These grand and antique mosques serve as not just places of worship, but as communal hubs fostering a sense of unity and belonging that you can explore and offer your prayers in just 3 days in Bangkok! Here are some of the biggest mosques in Bangkok that you can visit to explore the cultural significance of the community and to pray! Tonson Mosque Regarded as the oldest in Thailand, this Sunni Mosque is situated in the Chao Phaya River, near Wat Arun in Bangkok’s Yai District. This historical splendor was founded during the Ayutthaya era sharing similarities with structures like Buddhist monasteries highlighting the mixture in culture. Established by King Narai in 1688 it was redeveloped in King Rama II’s period, it is situated in the heart of the Hectic city of Bangkok. The name of the mosque comes from the twin pine or Cypress tree situated at the very front gate. The mosque lets you experience the solace and spirituality that the qibla walls and geometrically patterned ceilings bestow. Bang Luang Mosque Located in Wat Kanlaya, Bangkok, This white masjid exemplifies a blend of Thai, Islamic, European, and Chinese cultural Architecture built during the Rattanakosin Kingdom by a Muslim merchant, To Yi. It is also the only traditionally Thai-designed mosque in the world, with its whitish presence all over. It does not have a dome which is usually seen in all mosques, the Bang Luang Mosque makes you feel the sense of belonging you have been seeking outside which was initially within yourself only. You should add this in your lift while exploring mosques on your trip of 3 days in Bangkok. Masjid-e-Haroon Unlike the above two, this mosque was built in just Islamic design, built by an Indonesian-arab, Md Yusuf Bafadel, which has recently celebrated its 125th anniversary in Dec 2023. Another symbol of legacy, this mosque embraces various Muslim communities owing to its location in Bang Rak district. The mosque displays the harmonious existence of the immigrants who settled in the area to eventually share their love of god and the charming calligraphies and marvelous mirror writing on its enclosure. Bangkok Mosque Established recently in 2006, this mosque was an idea of the Tamil Muslim Association in Thailand and is located in Surawan Road, Bang Rak. The association manages the masjid and goes beyond its role of offering prayers by serving the community through Quran Classes, Health Camps, community services, and many more. Along with this atmosphere, you even get to see bookshelves that are ready to educate you about Islam and take you closer to a welcoming friend, ready to share the teachings and warmth of the faith at any time. Chakraphong Mosque Built by the war captives and goldsmiths, known as the Pattani Muslims, this two-floor yellow mosque was constructed in Rattanakosin, Bangkok during King Rama I’s period. With its unique architecture, this historically significant mosque is one of the oldest and filled with Persian and Arabic glass designs. Holding the people of the community together, this mosque also holds the cultural heritage that history has given to this generation. The Foundation of the Islamic Centre of Thailand With the purpose of creating awareness about the Islamic culture to educate the masses regarding the stereotypes prevalent around the world, this mosque was founded in 1954 by the foundation of Islamic Centre of Thailand gave the responsibility of building the same to Paijit Pongpanroek and Panisara Sittiwong who visualized and gave shape to this astonishing flower-like structure shows the extravagance of this culture and community. Bang Ao Mosque It is another mosque built by Muslim immigrants in Bang Phlat from Bang O, a broken city of Ayutthaya, near the Chao Phraya River during the 1940s. This outstanding architecture followed a Western style of construction built from teak wood, along its antiques are still preserved even though the mosque was renovated. Wrapping Up To conclude our exploration of Bnagkok’s Biggest mosques, we can observe how beautiful and tranquil the feeling was. Imagine our presence over there observing the minute details of the Java and Urdu carvings, offering prayers, and getting lost in the cultural charm that each of these may provide. Bangkok has been thriving with various cultures and the presence of such beautiful mosques is proof of its deep-rooted traditions and communal bonds. These mosques are not just places of worship; they are living examples of the unity, diversity, and shared history of the Muslim community in the heart of Thailand's capital.
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