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Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo
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
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
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.
Wat
Arun (Temple of Dawn)
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)
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
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.
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.
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