Located at the southeast comer of Sanam Luang, this
graceful, templelike structure houses "Lak Muang" a stone
pillar placed there by King Rama I, the first monarch of the
present Chakri dynasty, as the foundation stone for his new
capital city of Bangkok. Lak Muang is believed by many
people to have the power of granting wishes.
This world famous temple is located right next to the Grand
Palace, on the south side. It is one of Bangkok's oldest and
largest temples. Wat Pho was built by King Rama I nearly 200
years ago and houses the gigantic gold plated reclining
Buddha. This unique image is 46 meters in length and 15
metres high with beautifully inlaid mother-of-pearl soles.
Wat Pho is also regarded as the first centre of public
education and is sometimes called ''Thailand's First
University". The building housing the Reclining Buddha is
open daily from 9.00 am.-5.00 pm.
The temple is located on Fuang Nakhon Rd. 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 Thai style but the interior is decorated in European style.
Wat
Arun (Temple of the Dawn)
Located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, Wat Arun
can be reached either by Arun Amarin Road or by crossing the
river by boat from Tha Tien Pier, near Wat Pho. The most
attractive structure in this temple is the 79 metre-high
pagoda or "Phra Prang". Wat Arun was restored during the
brief Thonburi period to be the Royal Chapel of King Taksin.
Despite its name ''Temple of the Dawns", the most beautiful
view of it is from the Bangkok side ofthe riverat sunset.
The building is open daily from
7.00 am.-5.00 pm.
Wat Traimit (Temple of the Golden Buddha)
At the end of Yaowarat Road, near Bangkok's Hualamphong
Railway Station, is a temple situated on Traimit Road. This
temple is known for its famous Golden Buddha, constructed
during the Sukhothai period. The image, of solid gold, is
three meters high and weighs five and a half tons. The
building holding this image is open to the public everyday
from 9.00 am.-5.00 pm.
The building is located on Phra Sumen Road, in Banglamphu
area. Built in 1829, it is the shrine-hall of Phra
Phutthachinasri which was molded in about 1357. Wat Bowon
Niwet is one of the most important temples of Bangkok, whose
one-time chief abbot was King Rama IV before he ascended the
throne. Other Chakri Kings who had resided here during their
monkhood include King Rama IV and King Rama VII, as well as
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Wat
Benchamabophit (The Marble Temple)
The Marble Temple is on Si Ayuttbaya Road near Chitralada
Palace. The temple is well-known because its main building
was constructed during the reign of King Rama V. The best
time to visit this temple is early in the morning when
Buddhist monks are chanting inside the chapel. The interior
of the main building is magnificently decorated with cross
beams of lacquer and gold. A large collection of Bronze
Buddhas lines the walls of the spacious, inner courtyard.
The main building is open to vistors until 5.00 pm.
Located in Bangkhunphrom area on Wisutkrasat Road, Wat
Indravihan is well-known for a huge standing Buddha image.
Thai image of ''Buddhasiariyametriya'', is 32 metres tall
(108.99 feet) and 10 metres and 24 inches wide (40.09 feet).
This Buddhist monument was built during the reign of King
Rama IV. The topknot of the Buddha image contains a relic of
Lord Buddha brought from Sri Lanka. The temple is open to
the public every day.
Wat Sa Ket (The Golden Mount)
Wat Sa Ket or the Golden Mount, was begun during the reign
of King Rama 1 (1782-1800). The golden chedi houses relics
of Lord Buddha, and affords visitors a panoramic view of
Bangkok.
Wat
Suthat (The Giant Swing)
Located on Bamrung Muang Road, this temple took 27 years to
build. It is famous for the excellent murals in the main
building from the reign of King Rama III (1824-1851). The
viharn should be seen for its collection of gilded Buddha
images. The temple complex is open daily from 9.00 am-5.00
pm. In front of the temple is the famous Giant Swing. Many
shops surrounding Wat Suthat stock a very comprehensive
range of Buddhist ecclesiastic supplies.
Located on Sukhumvit Sol 101, this is the highest pagoda in
Bangkok. The pagoda, 94.78 metres high, has 14 storeys and
an elevator to enable visitors, particularly elderly people,
to go to the top of the building. Relics and a hair of the
Lord Buddha, kept in the pagoda, were presented by the
Supreme Patriach of Bangladesh.
Wat Mahathat (Temple of the Great Relic)
This is a very old temple on Na Phrathat Road between
Silpakorn University and Thammasat University. The back of
the temple faces the Pramane Ground, or Sanam Luang. Wat
Mahathat was built during the reign of King Rama I and
houses Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University, one of the two
highest seats of Buddhist learning in the country. Those
interested in Buddhist meditation should visit Section 5,
which is the head-quarters of Wipassana (insight) meditation
in Thailand. Information and practice in English can usually
be arranged according to the availability of suitable monks.
The temple complex is open from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.
Located on Mahachai Road. This royal temple was built in the
reign of King Rama III in 1846. Loha Prasat (Metal Palace),
one of its tourist attractions, standing on its 36 meters
high with 37 surrounding spires is the only one of its kind
left in the world. Situated in the nearby area are a royal
pavilion for a guest welcome and the memorial statue of King
Rama III.
This Chedi or pagoda is the tallest Buddhist monument in the
world. It is located in Nakhon Pathom,56 kms. west of
Bangkok. It towers almost 380 feet into the air. The
golden-tiled dome of the chedi looks like an inverted bell
and can be seen from miles away. The famous Buddhist edifice
can be reached by bus from the Southern Bus Terminal, by
train from Bangkok Railway Station, or by car.
This Chedi or pagoda is the tallest Buddhist monument in the
world. It is located in Nakhon Pathom,56 kms. west of
Bangkok. It towers almost 380 feet into the air. The
golden-tiled dome of the chedi looks like an inverted bell
and can be seen from miles away. The famous Buddhist edifice
can be reached by bus from the Southern Bus Terminal, by
train from Bangkok Railway Station, or by car.
Located at the end of Chinatown's Yaowarat Road near
Hualamphong Railway Station, this temple houses an ancient
solid gold seated Buddha image of the Sukhothai Period,
three meters in height and weighing five and a half tons.
This temple is a sanctuary for the open-billed stork. It is
located on the bank of the Chao Phraya River in Changwat
Pathumthani. From December to June, thousands of these
storks come to nest in the temple area. Those interested in
ornithology, should they be in Thailand during these months,
should not miss the opportunity of a visit to this temple.
was constructed in Mon style over 200 years ago. King Rama V commanded to renovate the
monastery dedicated to his grandmother and to construct Phra
Maha Raman Chedi (a chedi in Mon style) to house Buddha
relics. The principal Buddha of the monastery is carved with
marble in Mon style, so it is also called "Wat Mon" (Mon
Temple).
is well-known for the magnificent bot
(ordination hall) in the Ayutthaya style. Some parts have
been changed due to renovation. Behind the bot, there is a
chedi in Mon style.
houses an old Ayutthaya style
chedi and was the first secondary school in Pak Kret.
Located on Ratchadamri Road, the shrine devoted to Phra
Phrom, a Hindu god, is greatly revered by Thai people. Laced
flowers and small wooden elephants as well as Thai dancing
performances are always offered to the statue by grateful
devotees.
is a big royal monastery constructed
during the reign of King Rama I and was subsequently
renovated during the reign of King Rama III. Inside the bot,
there are murals depicting the jataka, deities and the
Buddha image in Subduing Mara Posture. These works of art of
the early Rattanakosin period (1 9th century) are considered
as the best surviving mural painting in Bangkok.
is assumed to have been constructed during
the Sukhothai period as some Buddha images in Sukhothai
style were found in front of the bot.
is a monastery constructed during the
reign of King Rama III. The top of the bot was made of wood;
mural painting inside the bot was made during the existence
of the Nonthaburi school of painting.
houses a 200-year-old Buddha sole,
which was found by Phra Khru Nawa Kam Koson (the first abbot
of this monastery) while traveling in Phitsanuloke province
during 1986 A.D.
Wat
Si Sudaram or Wat Chi Pakhao
was built during the
Ayutthaya period and was renovated by King Rama I. The
temple houses some interesting buildings including Tam Nak
Daeng (a pavilion). Sala Kan Parian (a sermon hall) , and
the residence of Sunthon Phu (the greatest poet of the
Rattanakosin period). Moreover, visitors can enjoy feeding a
number of freshwater fish here.
is an ancient temple located in an open
area next to Khlong Bangkok Noi. According to
archaeologists, many buildings and art objects here were
constructed in the Ayutthaya style; for example; the Ubosot,
the Buddha image, the boundary stones, the boundary wall,
the chedi behind the bot and the chedi with 12 cornered
indented pillar. The monastery later was renovated during
the Rattanakosin period.
was built during the Late Ayutthaya
period. The monastery is well-known for its well-preserved
mural painting made by artisans of the Nonthaburi school,
and the gable made of carved timber. Visitors who come along
by boat have to walk about 2 kilometers through orchards
from the pier.
was constructed during the Late
Ayutthaya period. This temple houses Ho Trai (a hall for
keeping scriptures) which is situated in the middle of a
pond. The building was made of wood in magnificent Thai
style.
is famous for amulets and is always
crowded with a number of people who come to make merit
during the weekend.
houses an old viharn (chapel) which was
registered as an archaeological site.
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