Wat Bang Kung (Thai: วัดบางกุ้ง) is an ancient temple in Samut Songkhram (สมุทรสงคราม), Thailand. The temple was built in the Ayutthaya (อาณาจักรอยุธยา) period. It was the site of the Battle of Bang Kung during the Burmese–Siamese War (1765–1767).
Wat Bang Kung is covered with roots of four big trees: Pho (Bodhi), Sai (Banyan), Krai, and Krang. These roots preserve the structure of the temple.
There is a Buddha statue enshrined in Wat Bang Kung. The Buddha statue is covered with gold foil, glittering with gold, and it has a wonderful and moving vitality.
Although a notice has shown that no photography is allowed, everyone in the temple takes pictures and no one stops them.
There are some old frescoes left in the temple, the theme is Jataka (Sanskrit: जातक), the story of the previous life of the Gautama Buddha before he became a Buddha.
Not too far from Wat Bang Kung stands a bronze statue of King Taksin the Great (Thai: สมเด็จ พระเจ้า ตากสิน ตากสิน มหาราช; 1734-1782). King Taksin the Great was the founder and monarch of the Kingdom of Thonburi (อาณาจักร ธนบุรี), reigned from 1767 to 1782.
During the Siam-Burma War, King Taksin the Great led a large army to defeat the Burmese army here, so that Thailand could escape the doom of being annexed by Burma.
Wat Bang Kung is not far from the Amphawa Floating Market (ตลาดน้ำอัมพวา). Visitors can rent a speedboat from the floating market to go here through Mekong River. The journey takes about 30 minutes.
