Other Temples in Bangkok

In addition to Bangkok's popular and must-see temples we have covered previously, the city still has a panoply of interesting worship places most guidebooks fail to mention. Here are the less popular 'hidden gems' which are both exquisite, and unique in their own rights...

Wat Benchamabophit (The Marble Temple)

Located in Dusit, Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram or The Marble Temple, is one of Bangkok's most modern and yet striking temples. Building began in 1899, shortly after completion of nearby Dusit Palace, when King Chululongkorn (King Rama V) asked his half-brother, Prince Narris, to design him a temple.

The result is a dazzling Ubosot (ordination hall) cast in white Carara Italian marble and with three-tiered roof - an excellent example of modern Thai architecture, with beautiful features from near and afar. This T-shaped structure contains an exquisite Sukothai-style Buddha replica called Phra Buddha Chinarahat, the original of which is located in Wat Mahatat. Interned in the base beneath it are the ashes of King Chulalongkorn.

The courtyard exhibits 52 local and foreign Buddha images from the period (33 originals and 20 copies). Each one is different in style and pose, with highlights including the Buddha in walking posture statue, and subduing Mara posture statue. Behind the cloister is a large Bodhi Tree, bought as a gift for King Rama V from Bod Gaya, the place of Buddha's enlightenment. There is also a 'Sala Nam' (water pavilion) and, in between the monks and people area, several bridges in a variety of styles.
Open: 08:00 - 17:00
Location: 69 Rama V Road, Dusit

Wat Bowonniwetwihan

On top of the obvious religious significance, Wat Bowoniwet has added sacredness due to long-standing connections with the divine royal court, making it especially important to the Thais. Located on the northeast side of Bangkok's Rattanakosin Island, just within the old city walls on Phra Sumen Road, it was founded in 1826 by HRH Prince Maha Sakdipolsep, a son of King Rama III.

Its regal history dates back to the first abbot in 1836. This was none other than Prince Bhikku Mongkut, who later acceded the throne to become King Rama IV. Before this he spent 27 years in the priesthood and 14 as abbot of Wat Bowon, founding the Thammayutika Nikaya, an ascetic monastic order, and Thailand's second Buddhist university, Mahamakut University, found within this temples grounds. King Rama VI, King Rama VII and HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej were also ordained here, making this a major temple of patronage for the Chakri Dynasty. Recently, this royal custom has continued with both Prince Vajiralongkorn and his own sons spending time as monks here.

The complex consists of a large 'ubosot', with elaborately carved doorway arches and windows in gilded stucco. The gable is decorated with glazed ceramics, indicating strong Chinese architectural influences. There are several rare and much revered Buddha statues including Phra Suwannakhet, Phra Nirantarai and Phra Phuttachinnasi, which is thought to have been moulded in 1357. Behind it is a large chedi covered in gold tiles, surrounded by four small golden prangs.
Open: 08:00 - 17:00
Location: 248 Phrasumen Road, Phra Nakkon, Old City (Rattanakosin)

Wat Chanasongkram

Proof that the sacred can survive amidst the profane is Wat Chanagonkram. Its location in backpacker enclave Banglamphu, close to Khao San Road and mildly less frenetic Soi Rambuttri, belies both the ancient heritage and the tranquillity of this small temple and its shady grounds. Its origins date back to the Ayutthaya period, but it was restored in 1787, during the reign of Rama I. This was after the famous victory at the battle of nine armies, which explains the name - Wat Chanasongkhram Rajaworamahaviharn, which translates as 'victory in war'.

At the rear is a sedate tree-lined courtyard, including temple housing where monks and lay workers still reside. Within the temple compound is a small courtyard. The windows and gable of the small 'Ubosot', or ordination hall, feature elaborately gilded wood, while inside at the altar sits a famous Buddha image in the subduing mara posture called Phra Phra Buddha Norasee Trilokachet, dating from the reign of Rama I. Around it sit 15 Buddha images from the same period, and also a pair of ebony elephant tusks. There is also a statue of King Taksin, which predates the Chakri Dynasty. In front of the compound sit two chedis in the Jom Hae style, with wide base and sharp top.
Open: 06:00 - 18:00
Location: Chakrapong Road, Near Khao San Road, Banglamphu

Wat Intharawihan

A soaring 32-metres high standing Buddha is what defines Wat Intharawihan, which borders Wisut Kasat road at the northern edge of Banglamphu. Known as the Luangpor Toh, building on this statue, built of brick and stucco, began in 1867 during the reign of King Rama IV. Decorated in glass mosaics and 24-carat gold, it took over 60 years to complete and is the tallest of its kind in the world.

The Ubosot was built towards the end of the Ayutthaya period, and has several interesting Buddha images, elevated murals on the walls and lavishly gilded window shutters. Outside are unusually carved sema stones and tucked away in an alcove there's a lifelike model of Luang Phaw Toh, a famous monk. In the small museum are old Buddha images and various paintings.
Open: 08:30 - 20:00
Location: 114 Wisut Kasat Road, Banglamphu, Old City (Rattanakosin)

Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan

Dating from the mid 19th Century, royal temple Wat Ratchanadda cuts an unusual figure when seen alongside its Rattanakosin companions. On Rachamanoen Avenue, very near the Golden Mount and Democracy Monument, this is largely down to the distinctive Indian inspired spires of its Loha Prasat, which was built during Rama III's reign as a gift to MC Somanas (who later became HRH Princess Somanas Vadhanawadi).

This square-shaped castle is a replica of one in India, standing 36 metres high and with 37 spires representing the 37 Bodhipak Khiyadhamma - the virtues leading to enlightenment. It was extensively embellished in the reigns of King Rama V and VI. Up its stairs, at its centre, is enshrined an urn containing Buddha relics. With those in India and Sri Lanka today in ruins, this is the only one of its kind left in the world. Wat Rajanadda is almost as well-known for its amulet market, which sells Buddhist amulets and magic charms in all sizes, shapes and sizes.
Open: 09:00 - 20:00
Location: 2 Machachai Road, Phra Nakhon, Old City (Rattanakosin)

Wat Rakhang

An ancient temple located in Thonburi next to the Chao Phraya River, Wat Rakhang was originally built in the Ayutthaya period. It earned its name - meaning temple bell - during the reign of King Rama I, when a bell was found in the temple compound. Later, King Rama II had this moved to Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), sending five new ones in its place. These can be found in the pretty Hor Rakhang, or bell tower, which is built in the four-gable style of Ayutthaya and early Rattanokosin periods and located in the corner of the temple compound.

Not far from this is an elegant Ho Trai, or library, considered an outstanding example of Thai architecture. Once the residence of King Rama I before his ascendance to the throne, its three adjoining buildings today function as a small museum, housing beautiful scriptures stored in lacquer and guilt cabinets. An elaborately decorated Ubosot, or ordination hall, features murals by Phra Wanwadwichit, a well-known artist of the King Rama VI era.
Open: 05:00 - 21:00
Location: 250 Arun Amorin Road, Sirirai, Bangkok Noi

Wat Ratchabophit

Built in 1869, Wat Ratchabophit was the first temple to be commissioned by King Rama V, who had it built to commemorate his Queen and concubines. Located in Rattanakosin not far from the Grand Palace, it has distinct gothic elements that distinguish it from other temples in the area.

Both the 'wiharn' (prayer hall) and 'ubosot' (ordination hall), for example, have typically Thai exteriors, decorated in hand-painted glazed benjarong ceramics and elaborate gold gilded door and window frames, but European style interiors similar to that of a gothic cathedral. The ubosot contains a well known gold-gilded Buddha image in the meditation posture, Phra Buddha Ankhiros, and rests on a base in which the ashes of Rama VII, who later inherited the temple, are kept. Instead of the typical eight sema, or boundary, stones are eight stone pillars surmounted with a carving of the Buddhist wheel of law.

An impressive chedi modelled after the famous Phra Pathom Chedi in Nakhon Pathom province (the highest Chedi in the world), contains relics of Lord Buddha, while the enclosure around it contains many Buddha images in varying postures. There is also a royal cemetery with monuments containing the ashes of the Queen, concubines, sons and daughters of King Rama V, and various other member of the Royal Family. Here are more wiharns featuring chedis, in both modern and traditional styles.
Open: 09:00 - 18:00
Location: 2 Fuang Nakhon Road, Phra Nakhon, Old City (Rattanakosin)

Wat Ratchapradit

Located in Rattanakosin not far from the Grand Palace and Wat Ratchabophit, the diminutive and yet striking Wat Ratchapradit dates back to the late 19th Century, belonging to the Thammayut Nikai Buddhist sect. King Rama IV had it built for them on a former coffee plantation.

The central feature, the impressive ubosot, is richly decorated in grey and white marble tiles and carved wood. The gateways and windows are adorned with intricate stucco crowns, the doors and window frames with Chinese pearl. The ceiling of the room is a deep red with patterns of gold gilded rosettes, while murals of royal ceremonies grace the walls. Inside is a beautiful altar containing the ashes of King Rama IV, on top of which is a replica of Phra Buddha Sihing.

There are also two Khmer influenced prangs, one of which has faces clearly reminiscent of Cambodia's Angkor Thom temple.
Open: 09:00 - 19:00
Location: 2 Saranrom Road, Phra Nakhon, Old City (Rattanakosin)

Wat Suwannaram (Thonburi)

Known for its wonderful original murals, Wat Suwannaram is a little known and rarely visited temple in Thonburi, not far from the Royal Barges Museum. It was built during the reign of King Taksin, during the Ayutthaya period, and briefly became an execution site for Burmese prisoners. Separate restorations during both King Rama I's and King Rama III's reigns gave it its current name and design, and it went on to serve as the Royal cremation ground for members of the royal family and high-ranking officers until the reign of King Rama V.

The ubosot has a three-tiered roof decorated with garuda heads, leaf-like decorations and mosaics, and its gable is carved elaborately from wood. The temple's real draw though is the original early 19th Century murals by famous historic artists Thong Yu and Pae Khong, which although decaying and in need of restoration, are exquisite. They tell the story of Lord Buddha and are considered by experts to be among Thailand's most beautiful. There is also a Buddha image in the Subduing Mar posture from the Sukothai period.

Other features in the temple complex include a wihan, or prayer hall, built during King Rama V's reign, and monks' residences.
Open: 08:00 - 18:00
Location: 33 Soi Charanonitwong, Bangkok Noi

Wat Thepthidaram

Originally called Wat Ban Phraakrai Suanluang, this temple was built between 1836 and 1839 on order of King Rama III. A gift for HRH Prince Apsornsudathep, its architecture is characteristic of the period, especially the ubosot, or ordination hall, with its strong Chinese features such as gable decorated with glazed ceramics. Inside are some impressive murals and the temples main Buddha image, Luang Phor Khao or Phra Buddha Devavilasa.

The wihan, prayer hall, exhibits a similar style and contains images of 43 enlightened female disciples - Bhiksuni - cast in tin. There are also four tall prangs located at each of the ubosots corners, the base of each representing the four Chinese deities. A famous Thai poet of the Rattanakosin era, Sunthon Phu was ordained here as a monk, and his former quarters, or kuti, remain.
Open: 05:00 - 21:00
Location: 70 Mahachai Road, Phra Nakhon, Old City (Rattanakosin)

Interested in this Tour?

Bangkok Old City Tour

This is one of our many handpicked tours that are tried and tested – prior to being offered to you. Many years of experience working closely with tour operators will ensure we offer the best experience possible. If you wish to book this tour or read More about it, click here.

Hotel Quick Finder

Location :
Hotel :
Check In :

for night(s)
Check Out :

Rooms : Adults : Children :

Hotel Quick Finder

Area
From

options

Home