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Bangkok’s love shrine

Temple attracts people of all ages and backgrounds, all sexes and persuasions, all seeking one aspiration – love.

Namtarn, 26, came to pray for love, hoping to find guidance on whether her current boyfriend was the right man for her. 
By George Henton
Published On 12 Jan 2015

Bangkok, Thailand – Amid glittering luxury shopping malls and the constant ebb and flow of Bangkok’s congested roads, a small white temple stands in the heart of Thailand’s frantic capital.

Every day, a steady stream of worshippers comes to sit before the marble shrine and pray for the same elusive aspiration – love. 

The temple itself is not an escape from the city. Standing proudly in the midst of it all, it provides a constant reminder that despite the crowds, finding the right person is a universal endeavour.

On Thursday evenings, the steady stream turns into a torrent, with worshippers lining up shoulder to shoulder. The temple attracts people of all ages and backgrounds, all sexes and persuasions, but demands a similar routine from all.

They buy some roses, light some incense sticks, and recite a prayer written on a small piece of paper while gazing up at the gleaming temple and it’s resident golden statue, Trimultari, the God of Love.

Pichayanan, 24, had come to (***)ask for a previous boyfriend to return(***) to her, and said that she had read about the holy powers of the temple on the internet. 
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Fai, 21, said she had been disappointed so often by (***)bad men(***), she had come to ask to meet someone nice who did not lie to her.
Vicha, 22, came to pray for reconciliation with his girlfriend. 
Praew, 20, was simply seeking (***)good love(***), because she felt she had been let down by many men who did not take their relationship with her seriously. 
Tuangporn, 26, has never been in love and hoped the prayers would help her find a good man just like her friend, who got married after visiting the temple.
Pariya, 29, said that a respected elder had told her of the temple, which would  make her wishes come true, so she had come to ask for a (***)soulmate(***).
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Borakorn, 40, came to pray to the deities Trimulati and Ganesha. It is said that at the precise time of 21:30 the deities descend from heaven and grant the wishes of the worshippers.
Palm, 19, prayed that he would learn more about how to succeed in matters of love.
Mew, 27, was seeking to overcome a recent relationship break-up through spiritual consolation, having learned of the temple on the internet, where it is said that the (***)merciless(***) Trimultari would separate couples who are not meant to be soulmates.