Top 10 Must-Visit Temples in Bangkok

Wat Bowonniwet Vihara is considered as another most significant royal temple in Bangkok and the Chakri Dynasty. The monastery established by King Rama III in Thai-Chinese style and was the dwelling of four Supreme Patriarchs of the Rattanakosin Kingdom. Moreover, it is the location of Mahamakut Buddhist University one of the two oldest Buddhist universities in Thailand. The holy site was the royal resident of the King Mongkut when he was under the protection of the Buddhist umbrella; also the king who was the first abbot of the temple settled the “Thummayut Nikaya” the Buddhist sect that strictly practices according to the original way of Buddhist discipline. Furthermore, the temple is significant temple since King Rama VI, VII, and the late King Bhumibhol ordained at this temple, as well. And last but not least, the monastery is one of two venues to enshrine the ashes of King Bhumibhol after his royal cremation and granted as the insignia temple of HM King Rama IX, accordingly.

The temple renowned in short as “Wat Mahathat Bangkok” is another classic and significant monastery in Bangkok. The holy site used to be the venue of the first Tripitaka Revision (the Buddhist Scriptures) of the Rattanakosin Kingdom. According to the title of the temple that intently to represent “Wat Phra Si Sanphet” of the old city of Ayutthaya resulted in the complex is plentiful of the ancient remains and archaeological things. The important structures inside the monastery are Ubosot, Phra Vihara Monthop, Vihara Bodhi Lanka or the little chapel, Si Maha Bodhi Tree, and the oldest Buddhist University of Thailand “Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University”. Interior of the ordination hall is the Rattakosin Buddha image called “Phra Si Sanphet” a subduing Mara statue sitting crossed leg with one overlapped another. The figure was praised by the viceroy in King Rama I very much. Moreover, the temple is the notable marketplace of Buddha image and amulet.

The old temple with its former name is “Wat Sam Jeen Tai” locates in the west of Hua Lamphong Railway Station. The highlight of the temple is “Phra Sukhothai Traimitr” the gold Buddha image in the attitude of subduing Mara housed as the main sacred object indoors the vihara. The gold Buddha image recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records as “the Biggest Gold Buddha Image in the World” with 3.01 meters of lap size and 3.91 meters high. It assumed that the image was cast in the Sukhothai period.

On the other hand, the ubosot or the ordination hall houses another significant Buddha statue of the temple titled “Phra Buddha Thossapholyan” the stucco Buddha image in the attitude of subduing Mara with lacquer and gilding. The image known in general as “Lung Pho To” or “Luang Pho Wat Sam Jeen” is very worshipful among the Buddhist. Additionally, the Buddha image was appreciative of King Chulalongkorn since the occasion that he visited the place that “it is another beautiful statue with the glorious Buddha’s character”.

The insignia royal monastery of the King Chulalongkorn or Rama V of the Rattanakosin. The temple was found by King Rama V with the design by Prince Naris in traditional Thai art. The temple considered another most magnificent with good planning monastery complex in Thailand with the splendid decoration of the premium grade marble imported from Italy. Consequently, the temple well-known among the foreign tourists as “the Marble Temple”. Apart from that, the main Buddha image of the temple is model of the venerable “Phra Buddha Chinnarat” of Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat in Phitsanulok province which recognised the most beautiful Buddha image in Thailand. The cloister gallery at the back is lined with various posts of the Buddha statues up to 52 images. Those images were brought to the place here by Prince Damrong Rajanubhab who collected from many cities both local and abroad. Wat Benchamabophit locates not far from lots of tourist attractions – Dusit Palace, Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, Chitralada Royal Villa, and the Government House, for instance.

The temple called shortly is “Wat Ratchanatda” is the second grade of the third-class royal monastery situated in Bangkok. It granted as the archaeological site dated November 22, 1949. The temple highlighted with its outstanding “Loha Prasart” the Metal Palace of which the only one in the world that still exist. The monastery complex was built by King Nangklao in 1843 to honour to Princess Somanass Waddhanawathy his niece who later became the consort of King Mongkut the Rama IV. The location is rich in its magnificent religious architectures, for example, Ubosot, Vihara, Sala Karn Parien (the sermon hall), the defensive wall, Sala Rai (the small opening pavilions), Bell Tower, Khao Phra Chai, and more.

Nevertheless, the celebrated construction that undeniable to mention “Loha Prasart” the Metal Palace which built by King Rama III in 1846. The structure prototyped by the metal palace in Sri Lanka. Considering the first metal palace in Thailand, Loha Prasart is 7-storey building with 37 spires, and the top of the 7th pinnacle is the house to enshrine the Buddha’s relic. Mostly, the architectures within the complex are delicately charming in traditional Thai such as Ubosot (the ordination hall) where to place the main Buddha image called “Phra Setthatamamunee”. While the stopping rainstorm Buddha image named “Phra Buddha Chutodhamnarasop” enshrined inside the vihara or the chapel.

One of the highest grade of the first-class royal monastery in Thailand and also the symbolic temple of the King Ananda Mahidol, the Rama VIII of Siam. The temple situated at the interior part of the capital with the prominent structure at the front of the monastery which is “Sao Ching Cha” or the Giant Swing.

Wat Suthat was established by King Rama I of Chakri House in 1807. The temple is the venue to place the royal monument of King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII), and his ashes were invited to store at the throne’s covert cloth of the Buddha image “Phra Si Sakaya Munee” in 1950. Traditionally, the beneficent royal ceremony in the remembrance of the King Ananda Mahidol’s death on June 9 annually.

The temple knowns, in short, is “Wat Saket” located next to Mahanak Canal and Rob Krung Canal not too far from Phan Fa Lilas Bridge on Ratchadumnoen Road. Wat Saket is an old temple with its former name “Wat Sakae” in which the place was renovated by King Rama I. Furthermore, the king ordered to make the canals rounded the complex and renamed to “Wat Saket” which means “wash the hair of the royalty” since the place used to be the location of the royal ceremonial bath of purification after he subdued the rebellion in Thonburi and ascended to the throne in 1782. Next, in the Rama III’s age, the king bestowed to repair the monastery and also create more structures in partially the crucial one that became the most famous structure of the temple is “Phra Borom Banphot” or better known widely in the name “the Golden Mountain”. However, the construction finished in the period of King Rama V together with the enshrining of the Buddha’s relic on the top of the pagoda and located there abidingly.

Wat Arun Rajavararam is the formal name of another iconic symbol of Bangkok metropolis known among the foreigners is “Wat Arun” or “Wat Chaeng”. The temple is an ancient monastery complex built in Ayutthaya era and restored in the early of Rattanakosin Kingdom. The holy site is the insignia temple of King Rama II of Chakri House, also the house to store his ashes at the throne of “Phra Buddha Dhammisarat Lokthatdilok” the main sacred image in the ordination hall. Besides, the temple with its reputation in the fascinating sculptures of the Giants and the ancient worshipful prang with more than 66 meters in its height. It’s traditionally to pay homage to the holy pagoda here by walk 3 rounds in clockwise with the belief to bless the prosperous life. Notably, the prang at Wat Arun is the must-not-miss landmark in Bangkok that celebrated for the tourist worldwide. Therefore, it could say that you have not been to Bangkok without visiting Wat Arun.

The temple renowned in general as “Wat Pho” or “Wat Photharam”. The place is famous as the Thai traditional medicine learning centre and Wat Pho Thai massage. Moreover, the temple is the place that one of the most beautiful and the 4th largest reclining Buddha images in Thailand. The venerable Buddha image enshrined inside the ubosot (ordination hall) is the stucco image, and the feet of the Buddha decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay in the 108 auspicious signs according to the Buddhist faith. Furthermore, the monastery also where the important Buddha image named “Phra Buddha Devapatimakorn” that under the base of the statue stored the ashes of King Rama I. The temple surrounded with up to 99 chedis included the principal iconic pagodas of the four kings of the early Rattanakosin era. That is to say, the royal monastery is the highest number of pagodas in Thailand.

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha or well-known among the local is “Wat Phra Kaew“, the most important holy site in Bangkok and also the country which is the house of the Emerald Buddha a potent religio-political symbol of Thai society. Besides, the interior of the royal monastery is plentiful in the beautiful structures, sculptures, and mural painting the craftsmanship of the early Rattanakosin artisans. The monastery complex is the location of “Phra Si Rattana Chedi” to enshrine the Buddha’s relic, Racha Pongsanusorn Hall where to house the insignia Buddha image of the Chakri House’s sovereigns, the ancient Prang (main pagoda) of Phra Bodhithat Piman, The Royal Pantheon, and the group of elegant edifices. Also, the museum that used to be the mint in the old days.