On Yaowarat Road in Bangkok’s Chinatown is the colorful Kuan Yim shrine of the Thian Fa Foundation. The Kuan Yim Shrine, despite not being listed in most guidebooks, is actually one of Chinatown’s most colorful attractions.

Guan Yin is the Chinese Goddess of Mercy, and her 900 year old statue stands on the altar inside the shrine.

The Kuan Yim Shrine & Thian Fa Foundation

Thousands of locals come to pray here, and especially at holiday times, the shrine is a riot of incense and smoke and the atmosphere is extremely otherworldly.

The buildings surrounding the Guan Yin Shrine are actually the hospital facilities of the Thian Fa Foundation. The Thian Fa Foundation was founded in 1902. Which makes it Bangkok’s oldest charity. It’s an organization that provides free medical care to the poor and homeless as well as after death services to those without families.

Guanyin Statue

Inside the shrine is where you’ll find a small golden image of Guanyin.

The Guanyin image dates to the 12th century, which makes it about 900 years old. Carved from teak wood in the Tang dynasty art style, it is painted in gold color.

With her right hand Guanyin makes the Varada mudra, the gesture of charity or making offerings.

The image was brought over from China and enshrined in 1958.

Worshippers praying to Guanyin offer flowers, burn candles or light incense sticks that they place in a bowl filled with sand, usually within an atmosphere of quiet and serenity.

This shrine is one of the most popular in the area and is particularly busy on Chinese holidays. Locals come to make offerings and pray for blessings such as fertility, success, health, and happiness.

When To Go & How To Get There

The Kuan Yim shrine opens daily until late evening, and it can get very busy during Chinese New Year.

The shrine is located next to the hospital of the Thian Fa Foundation on Yaowarat Road, between Yaowarat Soi 5 and Soi 7 in Chinatown. It’s a few minutes walk from the Chinatown Gate and Wat Traimit, the temple of the Golden Buddha.

You can get to the Kuan Yim Shrine by MRT Subway, train, tuk tuk or taxi. If you’re near an MRT Subway station, take a train on the Blue Line and get off at Hua Lamphong MRT station. If you’re near a SRT train station, take a train to Hua Lamphong train station. From either station, it’s about a ten minute walk to the shrine.

If you’re in Chinatown, walk, take a tuk tuk, or a metered taxi.