Bangkok Attraction - Bangkok Temples
 Temples
Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo (Tel: 222-0094, 222-6889,
222-2208)
This inner-city riverine landmark contains several buildings with
highly detailed architectural features. Wat Phra Kaeo within the
same compound, is a treasure house of Thai arts, and houses the
Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha image in Thailand.
To help tourists enjoy their tour of the Grand Palace, a Personal
Audio Guide can be rented at 100 Baht for two hours. Discs are available
in seven languages-English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Japanese
and Mandarin.
The complex is open daily from 8.30 a.rn.-3.30 p.m. Admission fee
is 200 Baht. (including a ticket to Vimanmek Royal Mansion). Proper
attire is essential.
Wat Mahathat (Tel: 222-6011, 222-8004)
This old temple was built in the reign of King Rama I. It is 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.
The temple complex is open daily from 9.00 a.m.- 5.00 p.m
Wat Pho (Tel: 222-0933)
This large and extensive temple neighbours the Grand Palace enclave
on Thai Wang Road and contains a gigantic gold plated Reclining
Buddha some 46 meters long and 15 meters 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.
It is open to the public daily from 9.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. Admission
fee is 20 Baht.
Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) (Tel: 465-5640) Details
This famous Chao Phraya riverbank landmark diagonally opposite the
Grand Palace, is best known for a porcelain encrusted 79 meter central
pagoda (phra prang) which sparkles in the sun. The temple can be
reached either by Arun Amarin Road or by boat from Tha Tien Pier
near Wat Pho.
Wat Arun is open daily from 08:30 - 17:30. 
Wat Ratchabophit
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 That style, but the interior is decorated
in the European style.
Wat Suthat and 'The Giant Swing
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.
Wat Thepthidaram
Located on Mahachai Road, the temple was built in the reign of King
Rama III with a mixture of Chinese architectural styles. Sunthon
Phu, one of Thailand's greatest poets, had resided in this temple
during his monk hood from 1840-1842. His residence is now open to
the public.
Wat Ratchanatdaram
Located on Mahachai Road, the temple was built in the reign of King
Rama III in 1846. Loha Prasat, the temple's main attraction, standing
36 meters high with 37 surrounding spires, is the only one of its
kind left in the world. Next to the temple is the area for welcoming
an important foreign guest and a memorial, statue of King Rama III.
Wat Indravihan
Located in the Bang Khun Phrom area on Wisutkasat Road, this temple
is well known for a huge standing Buddha image called Luang Pho
To. The image, built in the reign of King Rama IV, is 32 meters
tall and 10 meters wide. The topknot of the Buddha image contains
a relic of Lord Buddha brought from Sri Lanka.
Wat Bowon Niwet
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. 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 Chakn kings who had resided here during their monk hood include
King Rama IV and King Rama VII, as well as His Majesty King Bhumibol
Adulyadej.
Wat Benchamabophit  (The
Marble Temple) (Tel: 281-2501)
Located on Si Ayutthaya Road, near Chitralada Palace, 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.
Wat Saket and The Golden Mountain Details
Wat Saket's major feature is the Golden Mount, dating from the 1800s,
which overlooks Ratchadamnoen Avenue. The golden chedi houses relics
of Lord Buddha and offers a panoramic view of historic Bangkok.
Admission to Wat Saket is free except for the final approach to
the Golden Mountain summit;
which costs 10 Baht.
Wat Trai Mit
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.
Erawan Shrine
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.
Wat Paramal Yikawat 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).
Wat Phal Lom 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.
Wat Sao Thong Thong houses an old Ayutthaya style chedi
and was the first secondary school in Pak Kret.
Wat Suwannaram 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.
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.
Wat Chalo is assumed to have been constructed during the
Sukhothai period as some Buddha images in Sukhothai style were found
in front of the bot.
Wat Pho Bang O 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.
Wat Bang 0l Chang 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 Kaeo Fa 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.
Wat Prasat 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.
Wat Amphawan 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.
Wat Pak Nam is famous for amulets and is always crowded
with a number of people who come to make merit during the weekend.
Wat Ko houses an old viharn (chapel) which was registered
as an archaeological site
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