BUDDHIST RETREAT CENTER IN SAMUT PRAKAN PROVINCE, THAILAND

The increasing stress and mental fatigue caused by modern urban life, particularly in densely populated cities like Bangkok, have led to a growing demand for spaces dedicated to mindfulness, spiritual renewal, and inner peace. This thesis proposes a design for a Buddhist retreat center in Samut Prakan Province, Thailand—an accessible yet tranquil location near the capital. The project integrates architectural inspirations from Thai, Burmese, Japanese, and Chinese Buddhist traditions to create a culturally rich and serene environment. It emphasizes simplicity, mindfulness, and sustainability through the use of passive cooling strategies, natural materials, and eco conscious site planning.

Functionally, the retreat center includes meditation halls, dhamma teaching spaces, kutis, dormitories, a dining hall, tea shop, and service facilities—catering to monks, lay visitors, and spiritual tourists. The design draws upon case studies of prominent Buddhist centers such as Wat Pa Tam Wua, Dhammatapoda, and Vajrasana to establish architectural and operational benchmarks. The planning process also considers
environmental conditions, projected visitor capacity, zoning regulations, and cultural relevance within the Samut Prakan context.

By harmonizing traditional Buddhist values with modern sustainability principles, this project aims to offer a peaceful sanctuary that supports meditation, learning, and
cultural appreciation, while also contributing to the development of spiritual tourism and the preservation of Buddhist architectural heritage.