Temples & religious sites
Holy Rosary Church
The Holy Rosary Church, also known as Kalawar Church, is a Roman Catholic church in Bangkok. It is located in Samphanthawong District, on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River. The history of the church dates to 1769, when a group of Portuguese Catholics resettled in the area after the fall of Ayutthaya; the current church building, in Gothic Revival style, was built in 1891–97 on the site of two previous structures.
Overview
Holy Rosary Church, also called Kalawar Church, is a working Roman Catholic parish on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya, in a Bangkok neighborhood settled by Portuguese Catholics after the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767. The current building, finished between 1891 and 1897, is Gothic Revival in style, with pointed arches, stained glass, and a quiet interior that contrasts with the busy river and rail activity outside. It's worth visiting for the architecture and the sense of Bangkok's older, less-visited European and Sino-Portuguese trading district, rather than for any single dramatic feature.
Getting there
From central Bangkok, the church sits near the river in Samphanthawong District. The most common route is a taxi or ride-hail to the Talat Noi area, roughly 20-30 minutes from Sukhumvit or Silom depending on traffic, or a combination of BTS/MRT to a nearby station followed by a short walk or tuk-tuk through the neighborhood's narrow lanes. A river taxi along the Chao Phraya to a nearby pier is another option and gives a good view of the riverside approach.
Time to allow
Thirty minutes to an hour is enough to see the church itself and its grounds. Many travelers extend this by wandering the surrounding Talat Noi streets, known for old shophouses, murals, and small workshops.
When to go
Mornings or late afternoons are more comfortable, avoiding the midday heat for the walk through the neighborhood. The church is not typically crowded with tourists, though services may bring local congregants at certain times.
Combine with
- Assumption Cathedral (0.9km) — another Catholic church in a similar riverside, colonial-era style.
- Sri Maha Mariamman Temple (1.3km) — a contrasting Hindu temple for a short walk further.
- Sathorn Unique Tower (1.6km) — the well-known unfinished "Ghost Tower," for those exploring the area's abandoned architecture.
Sources: open data from Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap · Updated August 5, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
