If you’ve ever been to Wat Phanan Choeng in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, you might have heard of or seen the Phra Nang Soi Dok Mak Shrine, or the “Anier Shrine,” a common gathering spot for single people looking to find love.

     Phra Nang Soi Dok Mak Shrine was built to commemorate the love between Princess Phra Nang Soi Dok Mak, from China, and her betrothed, Phra Chao Sai Nam Phueng. As the story goes, Phra Nang Soi Dok Mak’s step-father, the king of China, Phra Chao Krung Chin, brought her up with the intention of her marrying Phra Chao Sai Nam Phueng, a king who lived before the Ayutthaya period. King Sai Nam Pheung traveled to China to meet her, and then he returned to Ayutthaya to prepare everything for her arrival. But an unfortunate misunderstanding occurred when Phra Nang Soi Dok Mak arrived. When she and her flotilla docked at Pak Nam Mae Bia, in front of Wat Phanan Choeng, her fiancé was not there. For some reason, he did not join the procession to welcome her. His chief official told him that she wouldn’t leave the boat because she was very disappointed that he hadn’t come to greet her, but the king thought she was teasing him, so he told his official to tell her that she could stay on the boat as long as she wished, as his own way of teasing her. He eventually arrived, the next morning, but, instead of going ashore to join him, she stayed on the boat and complained to him again, so he told her, “If you would rather stay on the boat, you may stay on the boat.” She became so distraught that she held her breath until she died there on the royal barge. (Since we know, however, that a person cannot die from holding their breath, we should not let her story end that way, even though it is the tradition. It could be that the princess died of a heart attack or a stroke brought on by stress after the journey, or some unknown medical condition, which would make her fate even more pitiful.) Her death filled Phra Chao Sai Nam Phueng with such deep remorse and regret that he built a shrine as a memorial to their love, and she became a guardian spirit for lovers.

     This is one of the love legends that have been passed down from generation to generation.

     For those who wish to beg for affection or ask for children, preparing offerings like fruit, cosmetics, and pearl necklaces is necessary. When a wish is fulfilled, people bring satin, pearls, or a replica junk, or sponsor a lion dance as an offering of gratitude.

     The shrine is accessible every day between the hours of 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Free entry for Thais. For foreigners, the entrance fee is 20 baht per individual.

     Phra Nang Soi Dok Mak Shrine is easily accessible from Bangkok by way of a quick and simple hour-long drive. It can be reached by taking the Utraphimuk elevated road and Road No. 32, the Bang Pa-in - Pak Kret Expressway, Road No. 356, and Road No. 3477. The shrine is in Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan, Khlong Suan Phlu Subdistrict, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District.