Samut Prakan is not a particularly famous spot for tourists, but it is known for being home to the national airport Suvarnabhumi. However, there's something many people miss on their way there -- driving out of Bangkok on Bang Na-Trat Road towards the airport, you can see a large, sacred temple located on the right-hand side called Wat Bang Phli Nai.
It is one of the most popular temples in the area, where thousands of people come to pay respect to Somdet Phra Buddhacharya, known locally as Luang Poh Toh. Besides the famous image of the figure, what makes this temple famous is its flashy lavatory.
When thinking of what a temple toilet looks like, one might assume it falls below regular standards. But at this temple, this is not the case. At Wat Bang Phli Nai, the toilet is air-conditioned. The walls have large mirrors mounted on them. The floor is laid with beautiful tiles. The waiting area is decorated with different types of flowers. People who use the lavatory usually enjoy taking selfies in different corners of the washroom's waiting room.
The idea for a prettily decorated lavatory came from the head monk of the temple. On a trip to the United States, he found that public washrooms were places where people really felt comfortable. Since not many people get the chance to travel abroad, he decided to bring the concept of luxury toilets back to Thailand for all to enjoy.
The most important thing is for the lavatory to remain clean. The head monk emphasises that it is not only the cleaner's job but all toilet-goers' responsibility to keep one of Thailand's few hi-so public toilets as attractive as possible.
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