Thai Temples & Palaces
Bangkok's temples are a unique part of the capital's heart and soul. A visit here would not be complete without seeing at least two of them. The architecture is awe-inspiring and the glittering decoration like no other. Imagine thousands of pieces of coloured glass and pottery adorned with intricate structures gilded in glaring gold - you're indeed in a City of Angels!
The best time to visit most temples is in the early morning. It's cooler and generally less crowded. The temples ('wats') are not just tourist attractions but also play an important part in Buddhist traditions. Monks live in the temple complexes, wake up around 04:00, attend to prayers and duties and then collect food and necessities from ordinary people on the streets. If you are up very early in Bangkok you will see monks walking around, dressed in saffron coloured robes. This daily alms ritual (called 'tam boon') takes place all over Thailand and is part of the Buddhist philosophy of giving and making merit to attain a better life beyond this one.
It's daunting to visit all the temples, so we've listed in the following sections those in the 'must- visit' category, according to their beauty, cultural significance and high regard in Buddhism. Please not that most temples are not open after 18:00. Thai temples are sacred places so you must dress appropriately. No shorts or revealing tops, otherwise you won't be allowed in. This applies particularly to Wat Phra Kaew (inside the Grand Palace. |
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Wat Phra Kaew
(The Emerald Buddha) |
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Wat Phra Kaew or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (officially known as Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram) is regarded as the most important Buddhist temple in Thailand. Located in the historic centre of Bangkok, within the grounds of the Grand Palace, it enshrines Phra Kaew Morakot (the Emerald Buddha), the highly revered Buddha image meticulously carved from a single block of jade. |
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Wat Arun in Bangkok
(Temple of Dawn) |
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Wat Arun, locally known as Wat Chaeng, is situated on the west (Thonburi) bank of the Chao Phraya River. It is believed that after fighting his way out of Ayutthaya, which was besigned by a Burmese army at the time, King Taksin arrived at this temple just as dawn was breaking. He later had the temple renovated and renamed it Wat Chaeng, the Temple of the Dawn. This famous Chao Phraya riverbank landmark diagonally opposite the Grand Palace, is best known for a porcelain encrusted 79 meter central pagoda which sparkles in the sun.
The temple can be reached either by Arun Amarin Road or by boat from Tha Tian Pier near Wat Pho.
Open: Daily from 7.30 a.m.to 5.30 p.m.
Admission: 20 baht
Tel: 0 2465 5640 |
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The temple is located on Fuang Nakhon Road near Wat Pho. Built by King Rama V in 1869, it was in keeping with tradition that each monarch constructed a temple to mark his reign. The temple is a mixture of local and western styles, showing an awakening interest in new ideas and a desire to experiment with them. The exterior of the chapel is in the Thai style, but the interior is decorated in the European style.
Open: Daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: Free
Tel: 0 2222 3930, 0 2221 0904 |
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This old temple was built in the reign of King Rama I. Located on Na Phrathat Road near Thammasat University, the temple houses Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University, one of the two highest seats of Buddhist learning in Thailand and also offers meditation classes for foreigners.
Open: Daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: Free
Meditation Centre Tel: 0 2623 6326, 0 2222 6011 |
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This temple is located on Phra Sumen Road in the Bang Lamphu area. Built in 1829, it is the shrine-hall of Phra Phutthachinnasi, a very beautiful Buddha image which was moulded in about 1357. This is one of the most important temples of Bangkok, whose one-time chief abbot was King Rama IV before he ascended the throne. King Rama IV and King Rama VII, as well as His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej resided there during their monkhood.
Open: Daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: Free
Tel: 0 2281 2831-3 |
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Located on Si Ayutthaya Road, this unique marble temple was constructed during the reign of King Rama V. It employs European ecclesiastic details, such as stained glass windows, and contains a superb cloister collection of bronze Buddha images.
Open: Daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: 20 baht
Tel: 0 2281 2501, 0 2628 7947 |
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Located at the end of Chinatown’s Yaowarat Road near Bangkok Railway Station, this temple houses an ancient solid gold seated Buddha image of the Sukhothai Period, three metres in height and weighing five and a half tons.
Open: Daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: 20 baht
Tel: 0 2225 9775 |
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This large and extensive temple neighbours the Grand Palace enclave on Thai Wang Road and contains a gigantic gold plated Reclining Buddha some 46 metres long and 15 metres high with inlaid mother of pearl soles. The temple is also regarded as the first center of public education and is sometimes called ‘Thailand’s first university’.
Open: Daily from 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: 40 baht, Tel: 0 2221 1969
Thai Massage School Tel: 0 2221 3686, 0 2662 3551, 0 2221 2974 www.watpho.com |
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Wat Suthat and the Giant Swing |
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Located on Bamrung Muang Road, this temple is noted for its superb 19th century murals in the main chapel. The distinctive Giant Swing outside the temple was once used in Brahmanic ceremonies long since discontinued. Nearby shops stock a very comprehensive range of Buddhist religious supplies.
Open: Daily from 8.30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Admission: 20 baht
Tel: 0 2221 4026
Fax 0 2222 6935 |
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is the Golden Mount, or Phu Khao Thong, an unusual temple that houses Buddha relics within its 58-metre-high chedi surmounted by a golden cupola. Built by King Rama I just outside the new city walls, the late-18th century temple served as the capital's crematorium. During the next hundred years, the temple became a dumping ground for some 60,000 plague victims. A Lanka-style chedi on the top contains relics of Lord Buddha and offers a panoramic view of historic Bangkok.
Open: Daily from 7.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
Admission: 10 baht
Tel: 0 2621 0576 |
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