Historical
& Cultural Treasures
|
............................
............................
|
|
|
Historical
& Cultural Treasures |
| As
a sovereign state, Thailand boasts a glorious and eventful
past. Our ancient cultural treasures are preserved to such
an extent and honoured in so many ways for you to gain a
rare appreciation of history without the stuffiness of textbooks.
Thailand’s historical monuments encompass all parts of the
country. The two most important defining elements of the
past, the Monarchy and Buddhism, are still highly revered
and give colour to life today in royal and religious rites,
festivals and other enduring traditions.
|
|
|
| Bangkok
|
|
Wat
Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)
Located on the same compound of the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaeo
is renowned as the most beautiful and important Buddhist temple
in Thailand. It houses Phra Kaeo Morakot (the Emerald Buddha),
the most highly revered Buddha image carved from a single block
of fine jade. More
details |
|
Wat
Arun (Temple of Dawn)
Constructed in the 17th century, it is attractive in its striking
prangs which are decorated with millions of pieces of Chinese
porcelain. Its central prang is the tallest in Thailand. Visitors
can climb up for a good view the Chao Phraya River and the nearby
surroundings. More
details |
|
Wat
Benchamabophit (The Marble Temple)
This is one of the most modern works of Thai religious architecture
where the relics of King Rama V are enshrined. It is famous
for its main chapel built in white Carara Italian marble to
house a replica of Thailand's most beautiful Buddha image, Phra
Phutthachinnarat. More
details |
|
Wat
Pho (Wat Phra Chetuphon or Temple of Reclining Buddha)
Wat Pho, well known for its huge Reclining Buddha, is the oldest
and biggest temple with the largest number of pagodas in the
city. It is also famous for its Thai Traditional Massage School
which offers body massage, body massage with herbs and foot
massage. More
details |
|
Wat
Traimit (Temple of the Gold Buddha)
This temple is well known for its 3-metre tall, 5.5 tonne solid
gold Buddha image, constructed over 700 years ago during the
Sukhothai period.
More
details |
|
Wat
Suthat
Wat Suthat is a good place to see the blend of Thai art and
Chinese art, the style which flourished in the reign of King
Rama III (1824 - 1851). In front of the temple is the famous
Giant Swing, formerly used in an annual Brahman rite in honour
of the Hindu God Shiva. More
details |
|
Wat
Ratchabophit
Its striking features are the temple hall and the pagoda which
are decorated with five-colour (or benjarong) ceramics. The
temple hall is in Gothic style. The doors and windows are elaborately
decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay and bas-reliefs. More
details |
|
Wat
Ratchanatdaram
It is famous for its Loha Prasat (Metal Castle) standing to
the west of the main temple. Inside this chedi is enshrined
an urn containing relics of the Buddha. Presently, it is the
only one of its kind left in the world. (The two formerly built
in India and Sri Lanka were already in ruins.) More
details |
|
Wat
Thepthidaram
The exquisite designs in this temple constitute the four directional
Stupas created by court artisans and the mural paintings on
the walls of the main temple. The style of buildings, the decorative
patterns with glazed tiles and the Chinese stone dolls all reflect
the influence of Chinese architecture.
More
details |
|
Wat
Saket (The Golden Mount)
This old temple is well-known for its golden chedi atop the
Golden Mount of a height of 77 metres. Climbing up the stairs
to the top of the mount, visitors can have a stunning panoramic
view of Rattanakosin Island.
More details |
| |
Wat
Mahathat
Built in the reign of King Rama I, it houses one of Thailand's
two Buddhist universities with the International Buddhist Meditation
Center. There is a daily open-air market selling traditional
Thai herbal medicine and rows of vendors selling Buddhist amulets
along the footpath. More
details |
|
Wat
Rakhangkositaram
The ubosot or main chapel in the style of King Rama I 's reign
features a three-tiered roof and the murals which were painted
by Phra Wanwatwichit, a great artist of the King Rama VI reign.
Its scripture hall has been declared one of the most outstanding
examples of Thai architecture.
More details |
Top
| Chiang
Mai |
|
Wat
Chedi Luang
This 14th century temple, where the City Pillar Shrine is located,
is famous for its enormous chedi (pagoda). Its spire collapsed
in 1545 because of an earthquake. A pair of magnificent Naga
staircases at the front porch of the chapel is among the most
beautiful in the North. More
details |
|
Wat
Chet Yot (Wat Photharam)
This temple has a seven-spired square chedi which was inspired
by the design of Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, India.
More
details |
|
Wat
Chiang Man
This is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai town. The temple is
famous for its Lanna-style chedi supported by rows of elephant-shaped
buttresses and an ancient and invaluable Buddha image named
Phra Kaeo Khao.
More details |
|
Wat
Ku Tao
This old temple is noteworthy for its unique Burmese-style chedi
(pagoda) that consists of a series of circular layers piling
one above the other and decorated with coloured porcelain pieces.
More details |
|
Wat
Phra Sing
This lovely temple houses the North's most revered Buddha statue,
Phra Phuttha Sihing. The temple compound contains a lai-kham
chapel which features exquisite woodcarvings and northern style
murals.
More details |
|
Wat
Phra That Doi Suthep
This temple is an important landmark of Chiang Mai and regarded
as a "must-visiting place" for all visitors to this
province. Its special feature is the 300-step naga stairway
leading to the temple. The temple's golden pagoda contains holy
Buddha relics. More
details |
| |
Wat
Phra That Si Chom Thong
Its Burmese-style bot (main chapel) is one of the most beautiful
in northern Thailand. Like many other temples in the province,
it is a typical Lanna Thai work of art. More
details |
|
Wat
Suan Dok
The 500-year-old bronze Buddha image, enshrined in the temple,
is one of the most beautiful and largest metal images of the
Buddha in Thailand. The temple ground is also a favourite spot
for photographers, especially for scenes of the striking sunset.
More
details |
| |
Wat
Tha Ton
In the scenic temple grounds, there are schools for monks and
young boys, a treatment centre for drug addicts and a hilltribe
support unit. Its shrine on the hilltop provides good views
of the beautiful surroundings and the river below. More
details |
|
Wat
U-Mong
Built in 1296 by King Mengrai, it is situated in a rustic forest
setting. This famous meditation temple is unique in its large
tunnel-like construction.
More
details |
Top
| Chiang
Rai |
| |
Wat
Pa Sak
Located outside the city walls, this temple remains with ornamental
stucco motifs is regarded as one of the most beautiful examples
of Lanna architecture. More
details |
|
Wat
Phra Kaeo
This temple is the original place where the Emerald Buddha (now
housed in the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok) was found
in 1354. Now the temple houses a jade Buddha image which was
made to commemorate the 90th birthday of the late Princess Mother.
More
details |
|
Wat
Phra Sing
This temple is a fine example of Lanna Thai architecture. The
famous Phra Phuttha (Buddha) Sing image housed here is believed
to be built in 157 A.D. in Sri Lanka or Ceylon and was brought
to Thailand in the Sukhothai period (1238-1438). More
details |
| |
Wat
Phra That Chedi Luang
Located next to the museum, this ancient temple features the
tallest pagoda in Chiang Rai. The 88-metre high brick pagoda
is in the bell shape of the classic Lanna style. More
details |
| |
Wat
Phra That Chom Kitti
This temple ruin, situated on a hilltop a few kilometers north
of Wat Pa Sak, has a pagoda containing a Buddha relic. While
on the hilltop, visitors can enjoy a good view of Chiang Saen
and the Mekong River.
More details |
| |
Wat
Phra That Doi Chom Thong
Located on the hilltop overlooking the Kok River, this temple
features an ancient pagoda which predates the founding of Chiang
Rai as the capital of Lanna Thai. More
details |
|
Wat
Phra That Doi Tung
Located on the mountaintop of Doi Tung (the highest in Chiang
Rai), this is a most important place of worship for Buddhists
in the North. The temple contains the left collar bone of the
Buddha. More
details |
Top
| Hua
Hin |
| |
Wat
Khao Krailat
Located on the Krailat Hill, it features an old Buddhist temple
where a collection of large Buddha images several hundred years
old are housed.
More details |
| |
Thammikaram
Temple (Wat Khao Chong Krachok)
There is a flight of 395 steps leading to Thammikaram Temple
or Wat Khao Chong Krachok, enshrining relics of the Lord Buddha
on Chong Krachok Hill.
More details
|
| Krabi |
| |
Wat
Khlong Thom
This is an interesting archaeological site. In the temple compound
there is a museum which features various kinds of artefacts
discovered in the backyard of the temple. The discoveries include
stone tools, stone and earthen ornaments and beads dating back
to some 3,000 years ago.
More
details |
Top
| Pattaya
|
|
Wat
Khao Phra Bat
It is a small temple located on Phra Tamnak Hill (Khao Phra
Bat)a small Buddhist temple. Outside the temple, there is a
large Buddha statue over 18 metres tall. More
details |
|
Wat
Yannasangwararam
It consists of a pagoda containing the Buddha's relics and several
beautiful buildings built in international architectural styles
such as Chinese, Indian, Swiss, etc. In the Chinese-style temple
there is a large collection of valuable Chinese works of art.
More
details |
| |
Wat
Atsadang Nimit
Erected by King Rama V (1868-1910) on the top of the hill of
Ko Si Chang, Wat Atsadang Nimit has its main temple and pagoda
built in European style.
More
details |
| Phang-nga |
| |
Wat
Suwan Khuha
Called Wat Tham (Cave Temple) by the local people, this is an
important temple for its being an archaeological site of the
province. In the vicinity of the temple, there is a limestone
mountain riddled with caves large and small. More
details
|
Top
| Phuket |
|
Wat
Chalong
This is Phuket's most beautiful and renowned temple. The temple
enshrines the gilt statues of monk-hero Luang Pho Chaem and
his assistant Luang Pho Chuang, both much revered by local people
because of their roles in quelling the miner rebellion in 1876.
More
details |
|
Wat
Phra Nang Sang
This old temple is also an important temple of the province.
Inside there are 3 historically valued bronze heads of Buddha
images recently discovered, estimated to be over a thousand
years old. More
details |
|
Wat
Phra Thong
The temple enshrines a most revered Buddha image called "Phra
Thong", meaning the Gold Buddha. The image is also called
"Phra Phut" which means a Buddha image emerging from
the ground. More
details |
| Samui |
| |
Wat
Pradoem
Built in the end of Ayutthaya era or about 250 years ago, Wat
Pradoem is believed to be the first temple on KO Samui. The
temple boasts an ancient wooden hall for keeping Buddhist scriptures
which is beautifully decorated.
More details |
| |
Wat
Samret
This old temple features a marble Buddha image brought from
Burma and many other old Buddha images. More
details |
| |
Wat
Phra Yai (Temple of the Big Buddha)
Erected in 1972, the temple boasts a 12-metre high golden Buddha,
which has become a spectacular landmark of Ko Samui. The temple
is also a meditation centre. More
details |
Top
|
|
|
