5 Catholic Churches in Bangkok

Bangkok is one of the most visited cities in the world: a vibrant crossroads of cultures, spiritualities, and ancient traditions. Those who come for tourism or work are often fascinated by its Buddhist temples, but many Catholic travelers—and those curious about religious heritage—wonder if it is possible to find Catholic churches in Bangkok and attend Mass during their stay.

Although Catholicism is a minority in Thailand, the city is home to a historical and active Christian presence, with centuries-old churches, international communities, and celebrations in different languages. From parishes frequented by expats to temples linked to ancient Portuguese and Latin communities, Bangkok offers spaces where the Catholic faith is lived in dialogue with a profoundly diverse culture.

In this article, we propose a tour of some of the most important Catholic churches in Bangkok, their history, their community, and the options for participating in the Eucharist. Whether you are looking for a moment of prayer in the middle of your trip, to attend Sunday Mass, or simply to get to know a lesser-known side of the city, these churches reveal a different—and deeply human—face of the Thai capital.

How did Catholicism arrive in Bangkok?

The presence of the Catholic Church in Thailand dates back to the 16th century, when Portuguese merchants and missionaries arrived in the ancient kingdom of Ayutthaya, one of the great commercial centers of Asia. From there, the first Christian communities emerged, laying the foundations for the current Catholic churches in Bangkok and other regions of the country.

During the 17th century, the mission was consolidated with the arrival of new religious orders and the creation of the Apostolic Vicariate of Siam. Under the reign of Narai the Great, the Church experienced a stage of cultural openness and dialogue with Ayutthaya, thanks to missionaries who learned the local language and culture. This integration favored the insertion of Christianity into Siamese society.

The process was interrupted at the end of the 17th century and during a large part of the 18th century by persecutions and political conflicts. Despite this, after the fall of Ayutthaya and the transfer of the capital to Bangkok in 1782, the Church began a stage of reconstruction. The policy of religious tolerance allowed the strengthening of Catholic communities, also driven by the arrival of Christians of Portuguese, Cambodian, and Vietnamese origin.

In the 19th century, the relationship between the Church and the State reached a decisive moment with the link between Monsignor Jean-Baptiste Pallegoix and King Mongkut (Rama IV). This period ensured religious freedom and institutionally consolidated the Church in the capital, favoring its pastoral, educational, and social expansion.

At the end of the 19th century and throughout the 20th century, the Church left a deep mark on Thai society through education, health, and social action. Today, the Catholic churches in Bangkok continue to be spaces of faith open to both local and foreign faithful, with celebrations that include Masses in English and, occasionally, in Spanish, reflecting the international and diverse character of the city.

Catholic Churches in Bangkok

1. Assumption Cathedral

By Chainwit. – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=138444276

The Assumption Cathedral, located in the Bang Rak district, is the main Catholic church in Thailand and the metropolitan see of the Archdiocese of Bangkok. Considered one of the most emblematic temples in the city, it is located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, a few steps from the historic Oriental Hotel and the French Embassy.

Its construction began in 1809 under the direction of the French missionary Father Pascal and concluded in 1821, during the reign of Rama II. Since then, it has become a spiritual reference point for the Christian community of Bangkok.

Throughout the 19th century, the cathedral and its surroundings played a decisive role in welcoming missionaries and in the pastoral organization of the Church in the capital. At the beginning of the 20th century, the temple was deeply renovated and adopted its current Romanesque style, with an imposing red brick facade and twin towers that distinguish it among the Catholic churches in Bangkok.

The interior, of great height and richly ornamented, reflects the European influence and the support of local benefactors.

As the administrative center of the Catholic Church in Thailand, the Assumption Cathedral has been the scene of historical events of great relevance. In 1984 it received the visit of Pope John Paul II and in 2019 that of Pope Francis, who celebrated there a meeting with young Catholics from all over the country. Today, the cathedral remains a point of reference for local and foreign faithful. It is one of the churches that celebrate Masses in English in Bangkok.

• For more information about this church, visit the website of the Assumption Cathedral
• Location: 23 Charoen Krung 40 Alley, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand.

2. Church of the Most Holy Redeemer

By Chainwit. – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=103880743

The Church of the Holy Redeemer is one of the Catholic churches most active and frequented in the city, especially among the foreign community. It is part of the Archdiocese of Bangkok. Its spiritual care is in charge of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists). Located in Soi Ruamrudee, a few minutes walk from the BTS Ploenchit station, it is located in a central and easily accessible area, very close to the embassy district, which makes it one of the Catholic churches in Bangkok most visited by expats and tourists.

One of the features that distinguishes the Church of the Holy Redeemer is its intense liturgical life and its marked international projection. The church celebrates Mass every day in Thai and English, which positions it as an undisputed reference for those seeking Masses in English in Bangkok. The Sunday and weekend celebrations usually have a significant participation of faithful of different nationalities. They reflect the cosmopolitan character of the city.

• For more information about this church, visit the website of the Church of the Holy Redeemer
• Location: 23, 15 Ruam Rudi 5 Alley, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.

3. St. Louis Church

By J4kkapongr (Pla). – Own work, Google Maps.

The St. Louis Church is one of the most important Catholic churches in the Sathorn area, one of the financial and corporate areas of Bangkok. Its origin is linked to the pastoral concern of Bishop Louis Chorin, who in the 1950s warned that many faithful in the area had to move to other parishes with a large influx. For this reason, in 1955 he promoted the construction of a new temple on land acquired decades before with the intention of housing a large church for the local community.

The construction of St. Louis Church was financed by Bishop Chorin himself, by contributions from relatives abroad and by donations from Christians in Thailand. The temple was consecrated on August 25, 1957 in a ceremony of great ecclesial relevance, with the presence of bishops from Thailand and neighboring countries. From its beginnings, the parish was characterized by its openness to diverse communities, including Chinese and foreign faithful, thanks to the work of its first parish priests and its insertion in a multicultural environment.

Today, St. Louis Church is especially valued by those who work in the Sathorn district, as it offers a serene environment and accessible schedules for urban life. Its strategic location, near Saint Louis Hospital and important offices, makes it one of the churches in Bangkok most frequented by professionals and executives. For those looking for Catholic churches in Bangkok with a welcoming atmosphere and celebrations adapted to the rhythm of the city, San Luis is a highly recommended option.

• For more information about this church, visit the website of St. Louis Church.
• Location: 23 S Sathon Rd, Yan Nawa, Sathon, Bangkok 10120, Thailand.

4. Church of the Holy Cross

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1919655152114721&set=pcb.1919655232114713

The Church of the Holy Cross, located in the Thonburi district, is one of the oldest temples with the greatest historical significance among the Catholic churches in Bangkok. Considered the heart of the Luso-Thai community, its origins date back to 1770, when a first wooden church was built after the reorganization of the Christian community after the fall of Ayutthaya . The current building was built between 1913 and 1916 and stands out for its neo-Renaissance style, with an imposing reddish dome and a neoclassical facade that dominates the banks of the Chao Phraya River.

For decades, the Church of the Holy Cross played a central role in the life of the Church in Thailand, as it was the seat of the Apostolic Vicariate of Siam until 1821, when this function passed to the Assumption Cathedral. Its strategic location and its close relationship with the first Christian communities make it a key point for understanding the historical development of the churches in Bangkok and the roots of Catholicism in the city.

The neighborhood surrounding the church, known as Kudi Chin, is today a true cultural microcosm where Portuguese and Thai traditions have been intertwined for more than two centuries. This fusion is perceived not only in religious life, but also in local gastronomy, such as the traditional Khanom Farang Kudi Chin, a sponge cake of Portuguese origin whose recipe has been passed down from generation to generation. Due to its historical, cultural, and spiritual value, the Church of the Holy Cross is an essential visit for those who explore the Catholic churches in Bangkok.

• For more information about this Church, visit the Facebook page of the Church of the Holy Cross.
• Location: 112 Soi Kudeejeen, Wat Kanlaya, Thon Buri, Bangkok 10600, Thailand.

5. Church of the Immaculate Conception

https://touristbangkok.com/churches-in-bangkok/immaculate-conception-church/

The Church of the Immaculate Conception, located in the Dusit district, is one of the most important Catholic churches in Bangkok for its historical value. It is considered the oldest Catholic church in Thailand that continues to operate uninterrupted. Its origin dates back to 1674, when King Narai granted land to the Portuguese community settled in the area.

The current building was rebuilt in 1847 under the direction of Monsignor Pallegoix and responds to the Neo-Romanesque style, recognizable by its solidity and the semicircular arches. In 1883, the Austrian architect Joachim Grassi—author of several emblematic buildings in Bangkok—added the masonry bell tower that today distinguishes its western facade.

Over the centuries, the church became a refuge for displaced communities, especially Cambodians and Vietnamese, which earned it the names of Bot Ban Khamen and Bot Ban Yuan. This welcoming character is an essential part of its identity and explains its relevance within the churches in Bangkok.

Inside, a highly venerated image of Our Lady of Mercy, brought from Cambodia, is preserved, which remains an object of devotion among faithful and visitors.

• For more information about this church, visit the Facebook page of the Church of the Immaculate Conception.
• Location: 167 Soi Samsen 11, Wachira Phayaban, Dusit District, Bangkok 10300, Thailand.

Hispanic Catholic Community in Bangkok

The Hispanic Catholic Community in Bangkok is born from the missionary mandate of Christ: “Go, therefore, and make all peoples my disciples” (Mt 28:19). Its origins date back to 2002, when a small group of Spanish-speaking women residing in the city began to meet to reflect on the Gospel, accompanied by Fr. Roberto Fuentes and Sr. Margarita Pérez, FMA, in the House of the Salesian Sisters. On June 22 of that year, the Eucharist was celebrated for the first time in community, giving rise to a path of faith that continues to this day.

Since then, the community has consolidated as a meeting space for Latin Catholics who live in a mostly non-Christian context. The possibility of celebrating the faith in Spanish, the language in which many learned to know and love God, is experienced as a true gift. To this spiritual bond is added a strong cultural component, which strengthens the communion between people from different Spanish-speaking countries, united by “a same love, a same heart and a same thought” (Phil 2:2).

One of the particularities of the community is its itinerant character: many of its members remain in Bangkok only for a while. However, the promise of Jesus—“where there are two or three gathered in my name, there I am among them” (Mt 18:20)—has become its motto and sustenance. For more than two decades, the community has met almost uninterruptedly in the chapel of the Salesian Sisters on Saladeng Street, with the permanent objective of spiritually and fraternally accompanying Latin Catholics in the city.

Spiritual growth has always been a central axis. Throughout the years, prayer groups, Bible studies, Advent and Lent retreats, Marian celebrations, and a deep community experience of Holy Week and the Easter Triduum have been organized. All this has helped many members to move from an occasional experience of faith to a more conscious and active commitment, discovering a vocation of service in their daily lives.

This lived faith is also projected in an intense social action, with visits to Latin American prisoners, aid to migrant communities, support for homes and missions, solidarity campaigns, and community workshops to raise funds. Thus, the Hispanic Catholic Community in Bangkok continues to be, for those who come to this distant country, a true home.

• You can find more information about the Hispanic Catholic Community on its website.
• Location: 124 Sala Daeng Rd, Si Lom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand.

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