Chao Mae Thapthim Shrine, Saphan Lueang Explained

Chao Mae Thapthim Shrine (th|ศาลเจ้าแม่ทับทิม; Chinese: c=水尾聖娘廟|p=shuǐwěi shèng niáng miào) also known as the Mazu Shrine, is a historic shrine in the Saphan Lueang neighborhood of Pathum Wan District.^{[1] [2]}

Description

Located near Sam Yan on land owned by Chulalongkorn University, the shrine is expected to be demolished by the university to build a condominium on the site.^{[3] [4] [5]}

The Office of Property Management, Chulalongkorn University (PMCU) is engaged in a legal dispute with the shrine's community and is seeking to evict the shrine's caretaker, Penprapa Ployseesuay.^[6]

The Last Breath of Sam Yan

The student-led fight to preserve the shrine was the subject of the 2023 Thai documentary The Last Breath of Sam Yan, directed by Prempapat Plittapolkranpim.^[7]

References

1. News: Ratcliffe . Rebecca . 2023-06-27 . ‘Here is the history, the life’: the shrine holding out against the gentrification of Bangkok . 2024-10-25 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
2. News: The last stand for Chao Mae Thap Thim . 2024-10-25 . Bangkok Post . en.
3. News: Sam Yan shows need to save history . 2024-10-25 . Bangkok Post . en.
4. Web site: 2024-10-05 . Thai students document fight against ‘unjust’ shrine demolition . 2024-10-25 . Times Higher Education (THE) . en.
5. Web site: 2024-09-30 . The Last Breath of Sam Yan wins Suphannahong Award Prachatai English . 2024-10-25 . prachataienglish.com . en.
6. News: A vanishing heritage . 2024-10-25 . Bangkok Post . en.
7. Web site: 2024-10-02 . Low-budget student documentary wins Thailand’s top prize . 2024-10-25 . nationthailand . en-US.