Wat Tian Thawai was established around 1880 BE, before the Ayutthaya period. King U Thong, serving as the local governor at that time, ordered its construction while fleeing from an epidemic, setting up a temporary camp for about a month. Before returning to the city, a temple was built and named "Wat Kweian Saiwai." Some locals also referred to it as "Wat Lao Jeud," which means "the temple of clear liquor," suggesting that when drunk individuals arrived at the temple, they would feel sober, similar to drinking mild liquor, due to their respect for the abbot, Phra Thammanusari (Sawang Thammachoto). King Chulalongkorn, Rama V, had visited the temple via waterway with his royal entourage on July 28, 1886 (BE 2449) and graciously donated 20 baht, along with commissioning a portrait to be painted.