As Thailand is a Buddhist country, there are a great number of wats (temples)
in the country, most of which are interesting for foreigners to visit. Listed
below are some large and important temples in Bangkok that are recommended
to be included in your itinerary.
However, when visiting a temple, please pay heed to the following: Disrespect
towards Buddha images, temples or monks is an offence. Shorts or sleeveless
shirts are considered improper dress for both men and women. Ladies must
not on any account touch a Buddhist monk, give things direct to him or receive
things direct from him. And take off your shoes before entering the main
temple.
If you want to visit these places with a travel
agent, pleaseclick
here.
Wat
Arun (Temple of Dawn)
Located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River with
Arun Amarin Road at its back, it can be reached by boat from Tha Chang
Pier near Wat Phra Kaeo or Tha Tian Pier near Wat Pho. Constructed
in the 17th century, it is attractive in its striking prangs (a kind
of pagoda) which are decorated with millions of pieces of Chinese
porcelain.
Its central prang, at a height of
82 metres (20-storey building) is the tallest prang of Thailand.
Visitors can climb up to a high level to have a good view of the
Chao Phraya River and the nearby surroundings. Anyway, the most
beautiful view of it is from the east bank of the river at sunset.
Location : Si Ayutthaya Road near Chitralada
Palace
Wat Benchamabophit is one of the most modern works of Thai religious
architecture where the relics of King Rama V are enshrined.
Graceful and tranquil, 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.
Wat
Pho (Wat Phra Chetuphon or Temple of Reclining Buddha)
Location : Chetuphon Road
Located next to the Grand Palace on the south side, this is the oldest
and biggest temple with the largest number of pagodas (95 in all)
in the city. Wat Pho is well known for its huge Reclining Buddha,
46 m long and 15 m high. Besides, it was the first open university
of Thailand which used to offer courses in several branches of knowledge
like literature, archaeology, astrology and medicine.
Reclining Buddha
Wat Pho
Nowadays Wat Pho is famous among foreign visitors for
its Thai Traditional Massage School which offers three kinds
of massage services namely, body massage, body massage with herbs
and foot massage. The massage service opens daily from 8 a.m. till
5 p.m. For learning courses, there are three courses, i.e. general
Thai massage, therapeutic and healing massage and foot massage.
For more information about the massage services and courses, please
call 0 2211 2974 or e-mail WatPoTTM@netscape.net
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. Originally the gold image was covered with plaster to conceal
it from the invading Burmese and was just rediscovered accidentally
about 40 years ago.
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). The main features include a 14th century large
cast bronze presiding Buddha, the beautiful murals in the main
building, and splendid carving door leaves which are replicas
of the masterpiece of King Rama II. In front of the temple is
the famous
Giant Swing
Formerly used in an annual Brahman
rite in honour of the Hindu God Shiva. However, the old red swing
aged 45 years was already removed. The replacement of the brand-new
one, comprising the four well-selected logs of the golden teak,
was just completed in December 2006.
Located to the south of Wat Suthat, this temple was built in the reign
of King Rama V (1868-1910).
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.
Location : At the corner of Ratchadamnoen
Road & Mahachai Road
This
royal temple was built in the reign of King Rama III in 1846. It
is famous for its Loha Prasat (Metal Castle) standing to the west
of the main temple. It is square in shape with 3 storeys and 37
spires, which symbolize 37 qualities contributing to enlightenment
in Buddhism. Inside this chedi is enshrined an urn containing relics
of the Buddha. Despite its name, there is no metal part in the whole
structure except the lightning rods fixed to the pagoda tops. 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.)
Wat
Thepthidaram was built between 1836 and 1839 by command of
King Rama III. 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.
Location : Off Ratchadamnoen Avenue,
opposite to Wat Ratchanatda across a canal
This
old temple is well-known for its golden chedi atop the Golden Mount
of a height of 77 metres. The artificial hill was created when a
large chedi (pagoda) under construction by King Rama III collapsed
because of the soft soil underneath. Later King Rama IV commanded
the construction of a small chedi on its crest, in which a Buddha
relic from India is housed.
Climbing up the stairs to the top of the mount, visitors can have
a stunning panoramic view of Rattanakosin Island. Every year in
November, a festival is held at Wat Saket which includes a candlelit
procession up the Golden Mount.
Situated
across the street from Wat Phra Kaeo, Wat Mahathat was built in the
reign of King Rama I and houses one of Thailand's two Buddhist universities.
The International Buddhist Meditation Center is also situated in the
temple. Those interested in Buddhist meditation can contact the monks
in Section 5 of the temple.
In the temple grounds, there is a daily open-air market selling traditional
Thai herbal medicine. And on the other side of Maharat Road at the
back of the temple, there are rows of vendors selling Buddhist amulets
along the footpath.
Location: Arun Amarin Road This old temple formerly named Wat Bangwayai
was built in the Ayutthaya period. During the renovation in the reign of
King Rama I, a sonorous rakhang or bell was found in the temple compound.
The king ordered it to be moved to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and
sent five new bells there in exchange, which are now hung on the belfry.
The king then changed the temple's name to Wat Rakhangkositaram.
The belfry which is the symbol of the temple, was built in the four-gable
style of the early Rattanakosin period. The scripture hall or ho trai consisting
of three adjoining buildings has been declared one of the most outstanding
examples of Thai architecture.
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
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). The main features include a 14th century large
cast bronze presiding Buddha, the beautiful murals in the main
building, and splendid carving door leaves which are replicas
of the masterpiece of King Rama II. In front of the temple is
the famous 
This
royal temple was built in the reign of King Rama III in 1846. It
is famous for its Loha Prasat (Metal Castle) standing to the west
of the main temple. It is square in shape with 3 storeys and 37
spires, which symbolize 37 qualities contributing to enlightenment
in Buddhism. Inside this chedi is enshrined an urn containing relics
of the Buddha. Despite its name, there is no metal part in the whole
structure except the lightning rods fixed to the pagoda tops. 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.)
This
old temple is well-known for its golden chedi atop the Golden Mount
of a height of 77 metres. The artificial hill was created when a
large chedi (pagoda) under construction by King Rama III collapsed
because of the soft soil underneath. Later King Rama IV commanded
the construction of a small chedi on its crest, in which a Buddha
relic from India is housed. 
Situated
across the street from Wat Phra Kaeo, Wat Mahathat was built in the
reign of King Rama I and houses one of Thailand's two Buddhist universities.
The International Buddhist Meditation Center is also situated in the
temple. Those interested in Buddhist meditation can contact the monks
in Section 5 of the temple. 
