The shrine of Mae Nak stands next to Klong Phra Khanong, at Wat Mahabut, a large temple on Soi 77 off Sukhumvit Road (On Nut Road). A shrine dedicated to Nak was constructed at Wat Mahabut. In 1997, the shrine was relocated to the nearby Suan Luang district of modern Bangkok.[2]

The article explains that the Mae Nak legend is connected with Wat Mahabut, stating: "The legend of Mae Nak is related to Wat Mahabut, Sukhumvit 77, Bangkok. The temple is located along Khlong Phra Khanong and is said to be the place where Mae Nak’s body was buried, which may be legendary or she may have lived in the late Ayutthaya period." It further notes that the temple is now officially named Wat Mahabut but is also known as "Wat Mae Nak Phra Khanong."

Believed to date back to the early Rattanakosin period (around the 18th century), the legend has it that Mae Nak lived in the area near Wat Mahabut along a canal. Today that area is known as Soi Sukhumvit 77 in Bangkok’s Phra Khanong district and is home to her shrine. Her body was buried in the cemetery at Wat Mahabut. Today, people from all walks of life travel to Mae Nak’s shrine at Wat Mahabut to pay their respect and seek her favors.[1]

"The young and pregnant Nak was waiting for her husband, Mak, to return from war at their home on the banks of the Phra Khanong canal. ... The shrine dedicated to Nak at Wat Mahabut, the temple where her body is believed to be buried, is famous for worshippers seeing their prayers about love and children being answered."

"Mae Nak Shrine in Bangkok is the site of the well-known local folktale, Mae Nak Prakanong or ‘The Mother Nak of Prakanong District’. ... Later, a shrine dedicated to Mae Nak was constructed in Wat Maha But. To this day, many people still go to the shrine for blessings and guidance. ... Mae Nak Shrine, supposedly her burial place, is located within Maha But Temple which was built in the late Ayutthaya period. ... Locals often refer to it as Wat Mae Nak Prakanong (Temple of Mother Nak of Prakanong)."

Mae Nak is not technically a deity. She is a ghost – Thailand's most famous ghost – and this is her shrine, housed inside the large Wat Mahabut temple complex in On Nut. The shrine itself is a small wooden structure by the canal, draped in clothes and offerings.[3]

According to Thai folklore, this tragic tale took place in the village of Phra Khanong during the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV).[3] Heart racing, he excused himself to go to the bathroom, but instead ran to the safety of the nearby Mahabut Temple; he knew he’d be safe because a soulless spirit cannot enter consecrated ground.[3] A shrine dedicated to Mae Nak is located within Wat Mahabut in Bangkok, where she is worshipped as a benevolent mother goddess.[3]

The encyclopedia entry on "Mae Nak Phra Khanong" notes: "It is believed that this story really happened in the late reign of King Rama III. At present, there is a Mae Nak shrine located at Wat Mahabut, Soi Sukhumvit 77 (On Nut Road), Suan Luang District, Bangkok." It also describes that after her death, "the corpse of Nang Nak was taken to be buried at the cemetery behind Wat Mahabut," linking the legend geographically to this temple.

It is believed that Mae Nak Shrine, reputedly her resting place, can be found within Maha But Temple, which dates back to the late Ayutthaya period. A shrine has been placed at the temple where people go and make offerings to the ghost of Mae Nak who resides within. The shrine is located in Wat Mahabut, which is a massive complex of temples, pagodas and shrines.[4]

A travel guide to the "Ya Nak Phra Khanong Shrine" states: "The story of Mae Nak Phra Khanong is believed to have really occurred in the late reign of King Rama III… In the end, her spirit was subdued by Somdet Phra Phutthachan (To Phrommarangsi) and a shrine was established." In its location section it specifies: "Location: Ya Nak Phra Khanong Shrine inside Wat Mahabut (Wat Mae Nak), Sukhumvit 77, Suan Luang Subdistrict, Suan Luang District, Bangkok."

Mae Nak has her own shrine, located on the edge of the Phra Khanong canal in Bangkok. A shrine dedicated to Mae Nak Phra Khanong was built at Wat Mahabut. The perimeter outside the shrine for Mae Nak Phra Khanong is considered sacred ground in the local tradition.[5]

The corpse of Nak was buried in the Wat Mahabut temple complex, which still stands today.[6] Quoting thailandfoundation.or.th, as of Monday (27/6/2022), many people still visit the Mae Nak Shrine at Wat Mahabut.[6] This shrine is famous among people who hope not to be selected to participate in Thailand's compulsory military service.[6]

"Wat Mahabut Mae Nak Phra Khanong is the shrine linked to Thailand's most famous ghost tale, where devotees leave dresses, toys, and garlands amid evocative displays telling the Mae Nak story. ... Wat Mahabut Mae Nak Phra Khanong is open daily from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM; come early to avoid crowds and midday heat."

A cultural article discusses how the legend is transmitted and mentions Wat Mahabut: "Phra Sri Somphot (Bus) who built Wat Mahabut, told the story of ‘Am Daeng Nak Phra Khanong’… The story, according to Kulap’s writing, occurred in the reign of King Rama III." This connects the origin of the temple’s founder with the narrative of Mae Nak, indicating the legend was recounted in relation to the temple and its surroundings.

Wat Mahabut, which is also known by many as Wat Mae Nak Phra Khanong, is an ancient temple full of stories of love and faith. The temple is famous because of the legend of Mae Nak Phra Khanong, whose shrine is located within the temple area.[7]

"In the past, during the era King R III, woman named lived with her husband Mak by the Phra Khanong Canal (now known as Sukhumvit Soi 77, in the On Nut district of Bangkok). ... For those interested, a visit to Mahab... in Nut, Bangkok, offers a glimpse into this legend — it is the official site of the Mae Nak Shrine. Inside, you’ll find a statue of Mae Nak cradling her baby, surrounded by offerings such as baby garments, toys, and flowers."

A Thai travel feature on visiting the Mae Nak shrine explains: "The Mae Nak shrine, or Ya Nak, is located at the back of the temple. Walk straight in and you will find the statue of Mae Nak in front of the shrine." It recounts that after her death, "the corpse of Mae Nak was brought to be buried at the cemetery behind Wat Mahabut," and notes that the shrine is within this temple grounds in Bangkok’s Phra Khanong area.

According to legend, Mae Nak was a beautiful woman who lived in the Phra Khanong area.[9] While her husband, Mak, was away serving in the military, she died during childbirth along with her baby.[9] Her spirit, however, lingered on, and the events of her haunting are associated with Wat Mahabut, where a shrine was later established in her honor.[9]

"According to local tradition, the story may have been inspired by real events that occurred during the reign of King Rama III or King Rama IV." (Video description summarising the history of Mae Nak and her association with Wat Mahabut and the Phra Khanong area in Bangkok.)

A short heritage description of Thai folk tales summarises the Mae Nak story as a tragic love narrative set in Phra Khanong but also notes the shrine context: the tale describes Nak, who dies during childbirth while her husband is away as a conscript, and later haunts the area until a monk subdues her spirit. While the entry focuses on the narrative, this folklore is widely associated in contemporary practice with the shrine at Wat Mahabut in Bangkok, where devotees visit to pay respects to Mae Nak.

"Step into one of Bangkok's most haunting and beloved legends — the story of Mae Nak. At Wat Mahabut Temple, where the tale still lingers, ..." (Video description indicating that Wat Mahabut is the temple connected to the Mae Nak ghost bride story in Bangkok’s Phra Khanong/On Nut area.)

This Halloween, discover the legendary haunting love story of Mae Nak Phra Khanong. A famous Thai ghost who died during childbirth but never left her husband. Her shrine at Wat Mahabut in Bangkok today attracts visitors who come to pay respects and seek blessings.[6]

According to local folklore, the story is based on events that took place during the reign of King Rama IV in the Phra Khanong area of Bangkok.[1] The shrine of Mae Nak is located at Wat Mahabut, a large temple complex situated off Sukhumvit Road, and is a popular site of pilgrimage for those who believe in the legend.[1]

A video post introducing Wat Mahabut describes it as "the center of faith of the Phra Khanong plain" and adds that many people colloquially call it "Wat Mae Nak Phra Khanong." It presents the temple as a place closely tied to the legend: visitors are "brought to experience the legend of ‘Mae Nak Phra Khanong’ at Wat Mahabut," highlighting the association between the temple and the Mae Nak story in popular culture and religious practice.

A social media post about "The legend of Mae Nak Phra Khanong" shares images and text referencing "Wat Mahabut" and uses the phrase "Wat Mahabut (Wat Mae Nak Phra Khanong)." The captions describe the temple as the place where people come to remember and honour Mae Nak’s love story, reinforcing the contemporary association between the Mae Nak legend and Wat Mahabut in Bangkok.

A long-form video about Wat Mahabut introduces it as "Wat Mahabut, the spiritual-trip destination in the Phra Khanong fields, the legendary story that was brought to the cinema, Mae Nak Phra Khanong." The narration describes visiting the temple and shrine to "ask for blessings from Mae Nak Phra Khanong" and notes that many people know the place as "Wat Mae Nak Phra Khanong," showing how the legend and the temple are linked in modern Thai popular understanding.

A TikTok video caption reads: "Discover the legend of Mae Nak Phra Khanong and the Naga from Wat Mahabut, along with the story and drawing of the Naga." The description indicates that the storyteller is presenting the Mae Nak legend specifically in connection with Wat Mahabut, reinforcing that this temple is a focal site for narratives and artistic representations of the Mae Nak Phra Khanong story.