Bangkok Temples and Wats

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The temple is in the outer section of the Royal Enclosure west of the Grand Palace . It was built on the orders of King Rama I along with the Grand Palace and Rattanakosin Island , and is built as a temple in a Royal compound like Wat Sri Sanphet in Ayutthaya . It has no resident monks.

The Emerald Buddha (Phra Putta Maha Mani Ratana Patimakorn or Phra Kaeo Morakot): This is a Buddha image in the meditating position in the style of the Lanna school of the north, dating from the 15th century AD. King Rama I brought it from Vientiane , and it is considered to be the most important Buddha image in the country.

Model of Angkor Wat: King Rama IV had this built by Phra Samphopphai when Cambodia was under Siamese control. The model was recreated in plaster at the behest of King Rama V to celebrate the first centenary of the Royal city.

Prasat Phra Thepidon: This four-square prang originally called "Puttaprang Prasat" was built in the reign of King Rama IV. Inside are statues of Kings Rama I-King Rama VIII, to which the public pay their respects on Chakri Day, April 6, every year.

Mondop: This structure stands behind Prasat Phra Thepidon, and was built in the reign of King Rama I. Inside is a cabinet holding the Buddhist scriptures beautifully decorated in mother-of-pearl.

Balcony: This can be compared to the temple wall. The murals inside tell the Ramayana story in its entirety. On the columns of the balcony are stone inscriptions of the verses describing the murals.

Phra Sri Ratana Chedi: Built in the style of Wat Sri Sanphet in Ayutthaya , this chedi is to the west of the Monhop. Inside is a small chedi with relics of the Lord Buddha.

Phra Atsada Maha Chedi: This group of eight chedis stands in front of the temple. It was built in the reign of King Rama I and dedicated to the heavens. Six of the group are outside the balcony, two are inside. Each has its own name.

Yaksa Tavarnbal (Gate-keeping Giants): Six pairs of mythical ogres stand at each gate of the Balcony. These are the main Giants of the Ramayana.

Hor Phra Khanthan-rat: Standing in the estern corner of the balcony, this is where the Phra Puttakhanthan-rat figure is enshrined. It presides over the Royal rain-making ceremony and the ceremony of the first rice planting. Inside are paintings by the mural artist Khrua In Khong.

Hor Phra Ratcha Karamanusorn: Inside this structure are 34 Buddha images in various positions, built by command of King Rama III and dedicated the kings of Ayutthaya and Thonburi.

Hor Phra Ratcha Pongsanusorn: Built in the reign of King Rama IV, this is the location of the Buddha image of the reigning King of the Rattanakosin Era. Inside are murals of Royal chronicles of Ayutthaya by Khrua In Khong.

Hor Phra Nak: Situated behind the temple, this traditional Thai building roofed with glazed tiles contains the ashes of the Royal family.

The Temple of the Reclining Buddha or Wat Pho (Wat Phra Chetuphon in Thai) is an important landmark in Bangkok in the Rattanakosin Area. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful Buddhist fine arts and the existing Thai intellect which has descended from ancient times, taken as an immortal carriers of knowledge. The Reclining Buddha

Wat Pho was built by the people in the reign of King Petraja of Ayutthaya in 1688. It is now 313 years old.

The first great restoration of this old temple was made by King Rama I of Chakri Dynastry when Bangkok was first founded by him. It took 9 years for the restoration. Later, in the reign of King Rama III, repairing and extending the main chapel called "Ubosoth" was largely done.

The Reclining Buddha was built in 1832 in the reign of King Rama III. The purpose of the Reclining Buddha is to remind people to think of the Buddha's Nirvana.

During the reign of King Taksin, this temple was where Burmese prisoners of war from Bang Kaew Camp were executed. It was founded in the Ayur ,aya period and was initially called Wat Thong.

It was dismantled and rebuilt during the resto ations made in the reign of King Rama I, and the king renamed it Wat Suwannaram. It was restored again during the reign of King Rama III. It was formerly the site of Royal Cremation Ground for members of the Royal family and high-ranking officers, and was used for this purpose until the reign of King Rama V

Ubosot: The main chapel has porches at the front and rear. The roof is decorated with chorfa, garuda head finials, bairaka leaf-like decorations and Mass mosaic. On the pediments are gilded theppanom, celestial beings, and the figure of Narai mounted on a garuda. Inside the chapel are murals by ti master Thongyu and Master Kongpae, a famous artis, Df King Rama Ill's reign. The principal Buddha imac , from the Sukhothai period is in the Subduing Mar posture and is named "Phra Saadsada."

Wihan: The prayer hall was built during the reign of King Rama V. There are long verandahs on eithc side and the roof is decorated with chorfa and bairaka, the pediment with theppanom.

Kuti: The monks' residences consist of six buildings with a refectory in the centre. Two smaller buildings with Hor Rakhang and Hor Trai are inclu nd in the complex.

The prang of Wat Arun on the bank of Ch Phraya River is one of Bangkok 's world-famous landmarks. From a French map of Thonburi made in the reign of King Narai it can be seen that the temple existed when Ayutthaya was Siam 's capital. The temple was formerly known as Wat Makok, and when King Taksin built his palace, he ordered the temple to be annexed to it. The king restored it and renamed it "Wat Jaeng". It was restored again by King Rama II, and renamed "Wat Arunratchatharam". King Rama IV later changed the name to "Wat Arunratchawararam"

Ubosot: This is an outstanding example of Rama II period architecture in late Ayutthaya style. It has a two-tiered roof with glazed ceramics, and pediments decorated with wooden carvings depicting Warunthep. The interior murals were painted during the Third and Fifth Reigns. Phra Phutthathammitsararatchalokthatdilok,the principal Buddha image in the Subduing Mara posture, was cast in the reign of King Rama II and contains relics of King Rama II.

Prang: This brick stupa is decorated with glazed pottery fragments in flower and leaf designs and other Thai patterns. The top is gilded and adorned with the noppasul.

Pra Rabiengkote: This corridor is in placeof the kampaeng kaeo found in most other tempi It has a tiled roof with doors opening onto f directions. Inside are 120 Buddha images in Subduing Mara posture.

Mondop of the Buddha's Footprint: A chapel surmounted by a spire, this stands between the ubosot and the wihan. It was built during the Third Reign and houses a copy of the footprint of the Budd a carved in Kwantong stone and decorated with colourful porcelain.

Ogre Statues: Guarding at the gate are two ogre (yaksha). The white yaksha is Sahassadecha and i green partner Thossakun, the villain of the Ramakien, the Thai version of the Ramayana epic.

The temple has flourished throughout the Ratta akosin period. The beauty of the architecture and t e fine craftsmanship declare its status as a temp - of the first grade and one of the most outstanding temples of Thailand.

RATCHAWORAWIHAN
Built in the Ayutthaya period by a wea Chinese named Hong, the temple was known WatJaosua or Jeasua Hong. When Thonburi becam the capital, the temple was made a centre education under the patronage of King Taksin, w was of Chinese descent himself. It was renovat in the reign of King Rama Ill.

Ubosot: The combination of Chinese an European style stucco reliefs adorning the do and window arches of the ubosot are some of finest of their kind. The interior murals paint in the Third and Fourth Reigns tell the story Ratthanapimphawong, or the Emerald Buddha sto

Hor Trai: The room housing the Buddhi scripture has gilded black lacquer panels. Th door was carved in a krauthao-style scroll floral motifs in the reign of King Rama I .

Golden Buddha Image: For many years was believed that the ancient Golden Buddh image was made of limestone, but when the casin fell off and the inside was revealed it was seen t be made of high quality gold in Sukhothai styl The old U-thong alphabet was found inscribed the base.

Built in the Ayutthaya period, this temple wa restored by Phrya Abhaibhuthorn and his dat )hter Chaochom Khrueawan, the Royal consort of I ng Rama III. They presented it to the king, who de: gnated it a Royal temple and named it Wat Kht eawan.

OUbosot: The pediments of the ubosot are de( )rated with stucco in the krauthao floral style. The gilded and painted window and door panels are Iso decorated with stucco. The murals painted in t` e reign of King Rama III period depict former incarnations of the Lord Buddha. The principal Buddha image resembles Pra Luangroatjanarit in the Treat Pagoda.

Wihan: It is similar to t e ubosot, but its t2-s led pillars were re? placed by square pillars.

Built in 1910 on the bank of Bangbon Canal, the community temple of Bangbon Tai or south Bangbon was formerly called Wat Mai-Ta-Cheuy after its founder, Ta Cheuy whose name was carved on the arch of the door to the ubosot, before King Rama VI granted it the official name of Wat Bangbon.

Luangphor Gaysorn or Phra Baromsrisukot Udomprotshinkul Budhaboromborpit: A Sukhothai style Buddha image in the Subduing Mara posture copied from Luangphor Gaysorn of Wat Taphra in Thonburi. This Buddha image was made at Wat Ratchaorasaram and transported by boat. However, the boat was unable to pass under the raised bridge, so the image had to continue its journey overland.

Usually known as Wat Boworn, this temple was built by HRH Prince Maha Sakdipolsep, a son of King Rama III, and originally called Wat Mai.

King Rama IV stayed here after he was ordained, and founded the Thammayut Nikai, a more ascetic monastic order. The temple is of special importance because King Rama VI, King Rama VII, and HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej were all ordained here.

Ubosot: This is a 'Trimuk' pavilion with wings on both sides and a tiled roof in the Chinese style. The gable end is decorated with glazed ceramics and at centre is the seal of the Royal crown. The doorway arches and windows are in gilded stucco. The murals were painted in European style by Khrua In Khong. The important Buddha images are Phra Suwannakhet, Phra Phuttachinnasi, Phra Nirantarai and Phra Phutaninnat.

Sio Kang Gate: The large door framed in the temple wall is carved with gateway guardians in the Chinese style.

Panya Palace: This was built on the orders of King Rama III as the residence of kings and princes who were being ordained.

Petch Palace: The main chamber of this mixed Thai and European-style building was the site of the first printing house in Thailand.

Mahamakut Buddhist University: Founded by King Rama V, this university for monks now has four faculties: Religion and Philosophy, Humanities, Social Studies and Education.

King Rama I appointed a Mon group of monks to look after this Ayutthaya period temple, so it became known in the Mon language as Wat Tong Pu. When Somdet Chao Phraya Maha Surasinghanat moved his troops back to Bangkok after victory in the battle of the Nine Armies, there was a ceremony of ritual bathing and changing of robes before he entered the Grand Palace, so the main temple was restored in 1787. After that, King Rama I gave it the name Wat Chanasongkhram.

Ubosot: This dates from the reign of King R.jma I. Gable end decoration is a Naga or serpent, a special feature of Front Palace artisans. Behind the chapel walls and window frames are flame motifs. Ogival stones on the temple wall are in the shape of Vishnu mounted on a Garuda. The outside arch has stucco flame motifs, while inside the door frames are coloured paintings. Around the chapel and behind the principal Buddha image are containers of the ashes of the princes of five kings.

Chedi: Two chedis were built in front of the chapel in the early Rattanakosin period. They are in the Jom Hae, or wide base and sharp top shape.

Principal Buddha Image: Phra Putthanorasitrilokachet is an image in the Subduing Mara posture, made of plaster, lined with lead and gilded, in the reign of King Rama I. The base is surrounded by 15 Buddha images which were all made at the same time.

This commoner's temple was built towards the end of the Ayutthaya period. Over the years it was known by various names. King Rama VI eventually ordered the name to be changed finally, as it had the same name as a temple Bang Yireuatai in Thonburi, Wat Inthara. Somdet Phra Watchirayanwong (MR.Cheun) of Wat Bowonniwetwihan gave it the name by which it is known today.

Phra Si Ariyamettraiya: Also known as Luangpor Toh, this brick and stucco Buddha image was started in the reign of King Rama IV in 1867 and not completed until 60 years later in the reign of King Rama VII. It is a standing image with the alms bowl in the Sukhothai style, the tallest of its kind in the world. The body is decorated in glass mosaics and 24-carat gold. A staircase at the back of the image enables people to apply gold leaf to the body.

Sema: The alcove features stucco figures caricaturing politicians.

Museum: Historical artifacts from the temple such as old Buddha images and paintings can be seen here.

During the time when F.M. Plaek Pibulsongkram was Prime Minister, the government decided to build a temple which was to be called, "Wat Prachathippatai," literally "Democracy Temple" to commemorate the introduction of the democratic system into Thailand. The chosen site was near the Constitutional Defence Monument. While the temple was being built, Thai envoys to India requested the Indian government for some relics of the Lord Buddha, shoots from the sacred Pho tree and soil from the holy places to be brought back to the temple. As a result, the temple's name was changed to Phrasimahathat.

Pho Tree: Standing on the Circular Island in front of the chedi. At the foot of the tree is a Buddha image in the Meditation posture.

Chedi Simahathat: A double-layer chedi, the outer layer enclosing a smaller one. Between the two is corridor with four entrances. The relics of the Lord Buddha and the holy soil were placed in the middle of the chedi. Inside the bigger chedi are 112 apertures for urns containing the bones and ashes of important dignitaries approved by Parliament as having "contributed greatly to the nation".

original name of this temple was Wat Tai Talat. Since it was built in the palace ground King Rama I invited monks to take up residence in' King Rama II restored the temple and nam it Wat Phutthaisawan. He later sent his son to educated there. The name was changed to W Moliloksuttharam by King Rama III.

Ubosot: The main chapel has a three-tier roof decorated with traditional ornaments such chorfa finials and bairaka at the sloping edg The window and pediments are decorated w' stucco, and the wooden door and window pane are finely carved with tree and flower patterns.

Somdet Phra Phutthakosajarn Mansion : This was a famous spiritual master's residence. Its do and windows are painted in the kammalor style.

Wihan: The sermon hall was built in t Ayutthaya period and the stucco reliefs on t pediments, doors, and windows were adde during the reign of King Rama III.

Kuti: The monks' residences were built of wood and are in the Thai-Chinese style.

Hor Trai:The scripture building is also of wood, and its window panels are decorated with gilded lacquer.

King Rama I had this temple built besidethe oId Wat Plub, and later merged the two. The Tample was restored during the reign of King Ram . III. Tamnak Chan, the mansion given to King Rama II when he entered the monkhood, was also restored, and the name of the temple was changed to Wat Ratchasittharam

Ubosot: The brick and stucco main chapel has i two-tiered roof. On the pediments are der -tions of Narai (Vis nu) mounted on a g ruda, with flower motifs and coloured glass mosaics. The murals depict the penuitiMate life of the Lord Buddha and the Tribhumikatha, the Buddhist cosmology of the three worlds, Heaven, Earth and Hell. Tamnak Chan: The ground floor was built of b ck and stucco while the upper floor is of char or sandal wood. During restoration in King Ram Ill's reign, the mansion was moved to the side if the Keng Jeen, the Chinese style mansion.

Sala Karnparian : The instruction hall has a two-tiered roof and contain two preaching chair ,14 gilded lacquer painted cabinets and the chair given by the king.

Chedi : The two chedi are named PhraSirasana Chedi and Phra Sirajumphot Chedi. Their bases are decorated with ropes of stucco.

King Rama V ordered this to be the first temple built after he came to the throne. It was to commemorate the Queen and his concubines. It later became the temple of King Rama VII.

Ubosot: Exterior of the main chapel is Thai, but the interior is European in style. The patterns copy Royal decorations in mother of pearl. The door frames are "an important example of the Rattanakosin style."

Phra Puttha Ankhiros: A Buddha image in the Meditation posture inside the ubosot. It is entirely gilded with gold on a chukchi base, where the ashes of King Rama VII are kept.

Chedi: Built in the Thai style, with a notched base decorated with Bencharong ceramics. The top of the chedi holds relics of the Lord Buddha, and the enclosure around it contains Buddha images in several postures.

Wihan: This prayer hall is in the same style as the ubosot. The window frames are patterned with Royal decorations lacquered with gold leaf.

Royal Cemetery: Monuments containing the ashes of the Queen, concubines, sons and daughters of King Rama V and the Royal Family, are here in the form of Khmer stupas and chedis.

Remarkably, there are no sema, or boundary stones, around the ubosot. Instead, they are set on a circle of columns facing in eight directions.

A Chinese trader named Liap who lived in the late Ayutthaya period built this temple, so it is called Wat Jeen Liap, Jeen means "Chinese " . In time, the word Jeen was dropped, leaving on the words Wat Liap.

When King Rama I was crowned, HSH Prince Thepharipitak restored it as a Royal temple and named it Wat Ratchaburana, which was the name of capital's temple in the Sukhothai period.

Prang: Built in the reign of King Rama II and has 28 notches on its five-level lotus base. Each level is surrounded by figures of demons, and the top of the prang is a crown with a noppasoon (Siva's weapon).

Ubosot: During World War II, this area was damaged by bombing. The present ubosot was rebuilt to the design of Prof. Luang Wisan Silpaka (Cheua Patamachinda).

Part of its historical importance is that Khrua In Khong, the monk praised as a master artist at the court, was ordained at this temple. He was "a pioneer of incorporating the European style into traditional Thai art by introducing perspective"

King Rama III ordered the construction of this temple as a gift to MC Somanas, who was later elevated by King Rama IV to the rank of HRH Princess Somanas Vadhanawadi.

Ubosot: The main chapel is built in the style of the King Rama III with rectangular pillars and stucco gable ends. The principal Buddha image was cast in copper, and King Rama IV named it Phra Settutamuni.

Loha Prasat: This is the only sanctuary made in Thai style. Building began in the reign of King Rama III, and it was extensively decorated in the reigns of King Rama V and King Rama VI. The 37 spires of the sanctuary represent the 37 Bodhipak Khiyadhamma - the virtues leading to enlightenment. The wooden staircases in the middle room are built around large wooden posts leading upwards. In the centre is an alcove containing relics of the Buddha.

Kuti: The monks' residences are typical of the style of the reign of Rama III.

The site of this temple was originally a coffee plantation. King Rama IV believed that traditional Royal ceremonies in the city required three temples, Wat Ratchaburana, Wat Mahathat and Wat Ratchapradit. As Bangkok had neither a Wat Ratchapradit nor a Thammayut Nikai temple near the Grand Palace, the king bought the land to give to the Thammayut sect to build the temple.

Inscriptions of King Rama IV: There are two on stone slabs behind the wihan. The first, dated 1864, announces the building of the temple, the second, the laying of the foundation stone in 1865.

Wihan: Decorated with marble, mother-of-pearl and carved wood. Gateways and windows are decorated with stucco crowns, door and window frames with Chinese pearl. There are murals of Royal ceremonies and pictures of a solar eclipse.

Phra Puttasihingkhapatimakorn: A copy of Phra Putthasihing seated on Phra Putta-asana where the ashes of King Rama IV are kept.

Prasat Yod Prang: Two of these are in Khmer style and the front of the arch is decorated in stucco.

Khmer Prang: Contains the ashes of the Supreme Patriarch (Sa) and two later abbots.

Belfry: Decorated with Chinese tiles and coloured pottery.

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