Temple
Buddhist temples are an essential as part of Thai culture, and Thai temples have many features that make them unique in the region. Thai temples are not only beautiful and architecturally unique but wonderful places for meditation and self-reflection. Temples also serve as schools for monks and other students.
Wat Pho
Wat Phrachetuphon Wimonmangkhalaram Ratchaworamahawihan (WAT PHO)
Of all the monasteries of the first class Royal temples,this is the most important, as it was built by monarchs beside the Royal Grand Palace.Originally,it was an old temple from the Ayutthaya period named Wat Photharam, and people have always called it Wat Pho.We still do today. In the reign of King Rama III there were no printed books,and people in general did not have access to the education available in temples.Wishing to rectify this, the king ordered texts to be inscribed on stone slabs around the temple which people could read and learn from.As a result, Wat chetuphon came to be regarded as "The first university in Thailand"
SkyTrain to Saphan Taksin Station S6. (Silom Line), Take Exit 2 and go to Chao Phraya River Express Boat Pier.Take boat heading to Tien Pier (N.8) and walk straight to Sanam Chai road and Maharaj road next to the Grand Palace.
Open: daily during 08.00 a.m.- 05.00 p.m.
Admission: 50 Baht.
For more information hrs.call (662) 225-9595, 622-0100, 221-1375
Tourists must be in polite dress, no shorts, although trousers are permitted.
Thai Traditional Medical Science School and body Massage
For more information please contact (662) 221-2974, 221-3686, 622-3550-1
Wat Saket and Golden Mount
One of Bangkok's oldest temples built by King Rama l. Within the grounds is Golden Mount a 76m (250ft) high hill capped by a golden tower, providing great views of old Bangkok.
Open daily 08:00 a.m. - 05.00 p.m.
Information 0 2233 4561, 0 2621 2576
SkyTrain to Ratchathevi Station (N1) (Sukhumvit Line). Take Exit 1 and upon exiting turn around and walk straight ahead 200 m. to Khlong Saen Seab. Catch Long tail boat from pier directly to Phan Fha Pier at Wat Saket. Or from the Grand Palace or Wat Suthat, take public transport to cornor of Maha Chai and Ratchadamnern Klang Rd.
Wat Arun
One of the early homes of the Emerald Buddha featuring Khmer style prangs constructed during the reigns of Rama I and II. Main prang is 67m (220ft) tall and 234m (768ft) around at the base. Ornamented with broken porcelain which was added by King Mongkut (Rama IV). Unique riverside setting.
Open daily 07.30 a.m. - 06.00 p.m. Admission 20 Baht.
Information 0 2891 1149
SkyTrain to S6 Saphan Taksin Station (Silom Line). Leave via Exit 2 and take a Chao Phraya Express Boat to Tien Pier (N8) take a cross river ferry to Wat Arun.
Wat Phra Keao / The Grand Palace
Begun in 1782, this Temple houses the sacred Emerald Buddha.The temple compound contains many notable buildings,pagodas,prangs and mural galleries. Doors and windows of main chapel delicately inlaid with mother of pearl. Adjacent Grand Palace buildings include both classic Thai and Western influenced designs and consist of throne halls, pavilions and buildings used for various ceremonial purposes. Extensive collection of arms available for viewing.
Open daily 08.30 a.m. - 03.30 p.m. Admission 250 Baht entrance may be restricted on certain ceremonial occasions.Dress Code enforced.
Information 0 2623 5500 Ext. 3100
SkyTrain to Saphan Taksin Station (S6) (Silom Line). Leave via exit 2 and take a Chao Phraya Express Boat to Chang Pier (N9).
Wat Suthat
Founded at the center of Rattanakosin Island,this is one of Thailand's six most important temples,Construction was according to the Tretise on Warfare. king Rama I wished to make it the central temple of Bangkok and building started in 1807. Construction was completed according to plan in the reign of King Rama III.Good planning from the beginning earned it praise as " the most finely proportioned temple."
open: Daily from 9.00 a.m.- 4.00 p.m.
Admission fee : 20 Baht.
SkyTrain to S6 Saphan Taksin Station (Silom Line), Take Exit 2 and go to Chao Phraya River Express Boat Pier.Take boat heading to Chang Pier (N.9), take Taxi or Tuk Tuk to Watsuthat near the Giant Swing
Wat Trimitr
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.
Open : everyday from 8.00 a.m. -6.00 p.m.
Admission : free
SkyTrain to S6 Saphan Taksin Station (Silom Line), Take Exit 2 and go to Chao Phraya River Express Boat Pier.Take boat heading to Banglumpoo Pier (N.13), take Taxi or Tuk Tuk to Wat Chanasongkhram opposite kao San Road.
Wat Benchamabophit
Also known as the Marble Temple. Combining Thai, Khmer and Western styles, it was built by a brother of King Rama V.The temple houses examples of Lopburi and Sukhothai style Buddha images, Ashes of King Rama V are under central Buddha image.
Open daily 08.00 a.m. - 06.00 p.m. Admission 20 Baht.
Information 0 2281 2501, 0 2628 7947
SkyTrain to (N2) Phaya Thai Station (Sukhumvit Line). Take Exit 3 and get public transport west along Sri Ayutthaya Rd. to intersection of Rama V and Wat Benchamabophit.
Lak Muang Shrine (CITY PILLAR SHRINE)
In 1782, King Rama I was crowned as the first monarch of Chakri Dynasty.Having moved his capital from Thonburi to Bangkok, he ordered the ceremony to rise the traditional City Pillar on Sunday, April 21, 1782 at 6.45 p.m. The City Pillar made from laburnum wood and decorated with heartwood, it is a decorated 108 inches of it are above ground and 79 inches buried in the soil.The top of the pillar is decorated in Shellac and gold leaf and has pointed tip.Inside is the birth certificate of the city.
Open : Daily
Admission : Free
SkyTrain to S6 Saphan Taksin Station (Silom Line), Take Exit 2 and go to Chao Phraya River Express Boat Pier.Take boat heading to Chang Pier (N.9 ), and walk straight to Maha Chai Road near The Grand Palace or take Tuk Tuk to The City Pillar Shrine..
CHAO PHOR SEUA SHRINE
This Chinese shrine has a long history and is respected by the Chinese community.It was originally located on Bamrung Muang Road,but when the road was widened in rieign of King Rama V, and lined with new buildings, Phraya Chodeuk Ratchasetthi (Khien) rebuilt it on land donated by King, which is now Tanao Road.
Open : Daily from 6.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m.
Admission : Free
SkyTrain to S6 Saphan Taksin Station (Silom Line), Take Exit 2 and go to Chao Phraya River Express Boat Pier.Take boat heading to Chang Pier (N.9), take Taxi or Tuk Tuk to CHAO PHOR SEUA SHRINE near the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
WAT CHANASONGKHRAM RATCHAWORAMAHAWIHAN
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.
Open: everyday from 8.00 a.m. -6.00p.m.
Admission : free
SkyTrain to S6 Saphan Taksin Station (Silom Line), Take Exit 2 and go to Chao Phraya River Express Boat Pier.Take boat heading to Banglumpoo Pier (N.13), take Taxi or Tuk Tuk to Wat Chanasongkhram opposite kao San Road.
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 molded in about 1357. This is one of the most important temples of Bangkok, whose one-time chief abbot was King Rama IV before he ascended the throne. King Rama IV and King Rama VII, as well as His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej had resided here during their monkshood.
Open : Daily from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Admission : Free
Tel : 0 2281 2831-3
SkyTrain to S6 Saphan Taksin Station (Silom Line), Take Exit 2 and go to Chao Phraya River Express Boat Pier.Take boat heading to Phra Arthit Pier (N.13), Take Taxi or Tuk Tuk to Wat Bowon Niwet which adjacent to Banglumpoo Market.
Wat Ratchanatdaram
Located on Mahachai Road, the temple was built in the reign of King Rama III in 1846. Loha Prasatthe temples main attraction, standing 36 metres 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.
Open : Daily from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Admission : Free
Tel : 0 2224 8807, 0 2225 5749
SkyTrain to S6 Saphan Taksin Station (Silom Line), Take Exit 2 and go to Chao Phraya River Express Boat Pier.Take boat heading to Chang Pier (N.9), or Tuk Tuk proceed along Mahachai Road to Wat Ratchanatdaram
Wat Ratchanatdaramm
Located on Mahachai Road, the temple was built in the reign of King Rama III in 1846. Loha Prasatthe temples main attraction, standing 36 metres 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.
Open : Daily from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Admission : Free
Tel : 0 2224 8807, 0 2225 5749
SkyTrain to S6 Saphan Taksin Station (Silom Line), Take Exit 2 and go to Chao Phraya River Express Boat Pier.Take boat heading to Chang Pier (N.9), or Tuk Tuk proceed along Mahachai Road to Wat Ratchanatdaram.
Wat Rakhangkhositraram Woramahavihan
The temple, formerly named Wat Bangwayai, was built in the Ayutthaya period. It was restored and appointed a Royal temple by King Taksin of Thonburi who also sponsored the revision of the tripitaka scriptures at the temple. During the reign of King Rama I, a melodious rakhang or bell was found in the temple compound. The King order it to be moved to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and had five new bells sent back in exchange. The king then changed the temple's name to Wat Rakhangkositaram. In the reign of King Rama IV the name was to be changed again to Wat Rajkanthiyaram ("kanthi" meaning bell). But people did not accept this name, and the temple is still called Wat Rakhang today.
Open : Daily from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Admission : Free
Tel : 0 2281 2831-3
SkyTrain to S6 Saphan Taksin Station (Silom Line), Take Exit 2 and go to Chao Phraya River Express Boat Pier.Take boat heading to Chang Pier (N.9), Take across river ferry from Chang Pier to Wat Rakhang Pier.
Wat Kanlayanamit woramahawihan
Chao Phraya Nikornbordin (Toe Kanlayanamit) dedicated his house and bought land in kudi Jeen area to found the temple in 1825.King Ramma III built Pra Wihan Luang where the principal Buddha image is enshrined.Later, King Rama IV renamed the image Praputthatrirattananayok.
Open : daily from 6.00 a.m.- 6.00 p.m.
Admission : free
SkyTrain to S6 Saphan Taksin Station (Silom Line), Take Exit 2 and go to Chao Phraya River Express Boat Pier.Take boat heading to Rajini (Pakkhlong Talat) Pier (N.), and Take across river ferry from Rajini (Pakkhlong Talat) pier to Wat Kanlaya Pier.
Santa Cruz Church (Wat Kudi Jeen)
When Ayutthaya fell to Burmese in 1767,most Europeans returned to their own countries.Some of the Portugueses residents, however, remained in Thailand. When King Taksin offered them land to found a temple, Brother Core chose land in Portugese Community in the Kudi Jeen area.
In the reign of King Rama III,the temple fell into disrepair.Cardinal Pallegoix re-established it and renamed it Santa Cruz Church, or the Church of the Holy Cross.However, it is popularly known as Wat kudi Jeen.
Open : Daily from 5.30 a.m.-8.30 a.m. 6.00-8.00 p.m.
Admission: Free
SkyTrain to S6 Saphan Taksin Station (Silom Line), Take Exit 2 and go to Chao Phraya River Express Boat Pier.Take boat heading to Rajini (Pakkhlong Talat) Pier (N.), and Take across river ferry from Rajini (Pakkhlong Talat) pier to Santa Cruz Church Pier.
website: http://www.bts.co.th/en/tourist_02_2.asp#1
