Magnificent Buddhist temples in Bangkok

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Bangkok, officially known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital and most populous city of Thailand.

Buddhism in Bangkok

The majority (93 percent) of the city’s population is Buddhist.

Rama I (reigned 1782–1809) of the Chakri Dynasty (which remains the current royal family of Thailand) founded the Rattanakosin Kingdom.

Under Rama I, new temples were constructed at the new capital of Rattanakosin (modern Bangkok), such as the royal Wat, Wat Phra Kaew, where the Emerald Buddha is enshrined.

A Buddhist council was held in Bangkok during the reign of Rama VII (1925–1935).

This council saw a new edition of the Pali Canon published which was distributed throughout the country.

Today Bangkok is one of the most visited Buddhist pilgrimage site in south-east Asia.

Buddhist temples in Bangkok

This is a list of well-known Buddhist temples in Bangkok such as Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, or Wat Arun.

Golden Buddha (statue)

The Golden Buddha, officially titled Phra Phuttha Maha Suwanna Patimakon, commonly known in Thai as Phra Sukhothai Traimit, is a gold Maravijaya Attitude seated Buddharupa statue, with a weight of 5.5 tonnes. It is located in the temple of Wat Traimit, Bangkok, Thailand. At one point in its history the statue was covered with a layer of stucco and coloured glass to conceal its true value, and it remained in this condition for almost 200 years, ending up as what was then a pagoda of minor significance. During relocation of the statue in 1955, the plaster was chipped off and the gold revealed.

Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen

Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen is a royal wat (‘temple’) located in Phasi Charoen district, Bangkok, at the Chao Phraya River. It is part of the Maha Nikaya fraternity and is the origin of the Dhammakaya Movement. It is a large and popular temple, supported by prosperous community members.

Wat Intharawihan

Wat Intharawihan or Wat Intharavihan is a Third Class Royal wat (temple) located in the Phra Nakhon District of Bangkok, Thailand. It is noted for its 32 metres (105 ft) high standing Buddha statue known as Luang Pho To or “Phra Si Ariyamettrai” that was erected on the inspiration of the still highly revered abbott Somdej Toh.

Wat Suthat

Wat Suthat Thepwararam is a Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand. It is a royal temple of the first grade, one of ten such temples in Bangkok. Construction was begun by King Rama I in 2350 BE. In the beginning time it was called “Wat Maha Sutthawat” (วัดมหาสุทธาวาส) and located in the combretum grove. Further construction and decorations were carried out by King Rama II who helped carve the wooden doors, but the temple was not completed until the reign of King Rama III in 2390 BE. This temple contains the Buddha image Phra Sri Sakyamuni which have been moved from Sukhothai Province. At the lower terrace of the base, there are 28 Chinese pagodas which symbolize the 28 Buddhas born on this earth. Wat Suthat also contains Phra Buddha Trilokachet in the ubosot and Phra Buddha Setthamuni in the Sala Kan Parian.

Wat Saket

Wat Saket Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan (Thai: วัดสระเกศราชวรมหาวิหาร, usually shortened to Wat Saket is a Buddhist temple in Pom Prap Sattru Phai district, Bangkok, Thailand.

Wat Ratchanatdaram

Wat Ratchanatdaram is a buddhist temple (wat) located at the intersection between Ratchadamnoen Klang and Maha Chai Road, in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok.

Wat Phra Kaew

Wat Phra Kaew, commonly known in English as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and officially as Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram, is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple (wat) in Thailand. The Emerald Buddha housed in the temple is a potent religio-political symbol and the palladium of Thailand. The temple is in Phra Nakhon District, the historic centre of Bangkok, within the precincts of the Grand Palace.

Wat Pho

Wat Pho, also spelled Wat Po, is a Buddhist temple complex in the Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok, Thailand. It is located on Rattanakosin Island, directly south of the Grand Palace. Known also as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, its official name is Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan. The more commonly known name, Wat Pho, is a contraction of its older name Wat Photaram.

Wat Yannawa

Wat Yannawa is an old Buddhist temple (wat) dating back to the Ayutthaya period, located in the Sathon district of Bangkok on Charoen Krung Road, Bangkok, Thailand. It has a unique junk shaped chedi and viharn built by King Rama III. The idea behind the construction was that Chinese junk was quickly disappearing and the pagoda should show present descendants what it looked like. The temple was originally known as Wat Khok Khwai during Ayutthaya era and Wat Khok Krabue (วัดคอกกระบือ) during Thonburi and early Bangkok era before the construction of the chedi.

Wat Benchamabophit

Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram is a Buddhist temple (wat) in the Dusit District of Bangkok, Thailand. Also known as the marble temple, it is one of Bangkok’s best-known temples and a major tourist attraction. It typifies Bangkok’s ornate style of high gables, stepped-out roofs and elaborate finials.

Wat Arun

Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan or Wat Arun is a Buddhist temple (wat) in Bangkok Yai district of Bangkok, Thailand, on the Thonburi west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The temple derives its name from the Hindu god Aruna, often personified as the radiations of the rising sun. Wat Arun is among the best known of Thailand’s landmark. The first light of the morning reflects off the surface of the temple with pearly iridescence. Although the temple had existed since at least the seventeenth century, its distinctive prang (spires) were built in the early nineteenth century during the reign of King Rama II.

Wat Apson Sawan

Wat Apson Sawan Worawihan, also simply known as Wat Apson Sawan is an ancient Thai Buddhist temple more than 200 years in Bangkok. It is situated rim canal Khlong Dan bounded by other temple were famed Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen, Wat Nang Chi, and across the canal is Wat Khun Chan in Talat Phlu quarter.

Wat Phichai Yat

Wat Phichaya Yatikaram Worawihan, also referred to as Wat Phichai Yat is a Thai Buddhist temple in Bangkok, regarded as one of the most beautiful and outstanding temples of Bangkok and Thonburi side. The temple is located by the waterside of Khlong Somdet Chao Phraya in Khlong San District near present Wongwian Lek.

Wat Bamphen Chin Phrot

Wat Bamphen Chin Phrot or familiarly known in Teochew Yong Hok Yi (ย่งฮกยี่) is a Chinese temple of the Mahāyāna sect in Thailand, located on Soi Yaowarat 8, Samphanthawong Subdistrict, Samphanthawong District, Bangkok. This temple has many interesting features, because it is one of the oldest Chinese temples in Thailand, including the only temple located on Yaowarat Road and can be considered as the smallest temple in the country, because it is only five storey shophouse.

Wat Phra Si Mahathat

Wat Phra Si Mahathat Wora Maha Viharn is a Buddhist temple in the Bang Khen District of Bangkok. Construction began in 20 March 1941 in commemoration of the government victory over the Boworadet rebellion in 1933.

Wat Phra Si Mahathat was designated a first-class royal monastery in 1942, making it one of the most significant temples in Thailand.

Wat Phraya Suren

Wat Phraya Suren is a Thai Buddhist temple located on Soi Phraya Suren 50, Phraya Suren Rd, Sam Wa Tawan Tok Subdistrict, Khlong Sam Wa District, eastern Bangkok.

Wat Pradu Chimphli

Wat Pradu Chimphli is an ancient civilian Thai Buddhist temple in Wat Tha Phra Subdistrict, Bangkok Yai District, Bangkok’s Thonburi side. The temple is situated rim Khlong Chak Phra, where is confluence of three khlongs (canals) Chak Phra, Phasi Charoen, and Bangkok Yai.

Wat Prayurawongsawat

Wat Prayurawongsawat Worawihan, known in short as Wat Prayun is a 19th century Buddhist temple complex, located near the Memorial Bridge in Bangkok, Thailand.

Wat Puranawat

Wat Puranawat is a private Buddhist temple in suburb Bangkok, situated on the bank of Khlong Maha Sawat in the area of Sala Thammasop in Thawi Watthana District, considered as a temple on the northwesternmost of Bangkok. Across Khlong Maha Sawat is the area of Tambon Sala Klang, Bang Kruai District of Nonthaburi Province, while Tambon Salaya, Phutthamonthon District of Nakhon Pathom Province is not far from here.

Wat Rakhangkhositaram

Wat Rakhangkhositaram Woramahaviharn or usually shortened to Wat Rakhangkhositaram (วัดระฆังโฆสิตาราม), familiarly known as Wat Rakhang (วัดระฆัง) is a second-class royal monastery in Bangkok, Thailand. It’s located at 250/1 Arun Amarin Road, Siri Rat Subdistrict, Bangkok Noi District, Thonburi side on the west bank of Chao Phraya River near Siriraj Hospital, Wang Lang Market and Ban Khamin Junction.

Wat Ratchabophit

Wat Ratchabophit or formally Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simaram Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan, is a Buddhist temple on Atsadang Road, Bangkok, along Khlong Khu Mueang Doem, not far from Wat Pho and the Grand Palace. The temple was built during the reign of King Chulalongkorn. The abbott of the termple is Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana, the current Supreme Patriarch of Thailand.

Wat Ratchaburana – Bangkok

Wat Ratchaburana Ratchaworawihan or usually shortened to Wat Ratchaburana (วัดราชบูรณะ), commonly known as Wat Liap (วัดเลียบ), is a second-class temple in Maha Nikaya sect of Buddhism, located at 119 Chakkraphet Road, Wang Burapha Phirom Subdistrict, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok at the foot of the Memorial Bridge on the Phra Nakhon side near Pak Khlong Talat and Praisaniyakarn, opposite The Long Corridor of Suankularb Wittayalai School.

Wat Bophit Phimuk

Wat Bophit Phimuk Worawihan, or simple known as Wat Bophit Phimuk is a second grade royal temple in Bangkok, located on Chakkrawat Road, Chakkrawat Sub-district, Samphanthawong District near the foot of Phra Pok Klao Bridge on periphery of Chakkrawat Sub-district, Samphanthawong District and Wang Burapha Phirom Sub-district, Phra Nakhon District. Regarded as another Thai temple located in the area known as Chinatown, in addition to the Wat Traimit or the Wat Chakkrawat.

Wat Pathum Khongkha

Wat Pathum Khongkha Ratchaworawihan, or simple known as Wat Pathum Khongkha is a second class royal temple in the Talat Noi area of Bangkok’s Chinatown near Tri Mit Road, which leads to Odeon Circle, the beginning of Yaowarat Road.

Wat Ratchapradit

Wat Ratchapradit Sathit Mahasimaram Ratcha Wora Maha Viharn is a Buddhist temple in the Phra Nakhon District of Bangkok. Wat Ratchaparadit was designated a first-class royal monastery in 1915, making it one of the most significant temples in Thailand.

Wat Anongkharam

Wat Anongkharam Worawihan is a second grade royal temple of Worawihan. It was built in 1850 in dedication for King Rama III. The formerly named was Wat Noi Khamthaem (วัดน้อยขำแถม) after its founder Dame Noi, wife of a noble, Somdet Chao Phraya Borom Maha Phichai Yat, the temple was built along with neighbouring Wat Phichai Yat. It was later renamed Wat Anongkharam by King Rama IV.

Wat Sam Phraya

Wat Sam Phraya is a Thai royal temple of the third class, located in Wat Sam Phraya Sub-district, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok. Formerly called Wat Sak or Wat Bang Khun Phrom, it was presumably built in the Ayutthaya period. It was restored and given its present name in the Bangkok era.

Wat Samian Nari

Wat Samian Nari is a civil temple in Thailand, located at 32 Moo 2, Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Lat Yao Subdistrict, Chatuchak District, Bangkok, with a total area of 18 rai next to Northern Railway Line and close to Bang Son Station.

Wat Samphanthawongsaram

Wat Samphanthawongsaram Worawiharn, also known in short Wat Samphanthawongsaram is a third grade royal Buddhist temple of Worawihan in Dhammayuttika Nikaya sect. It is situated in the area of Sampheng, also known as Bangkok’s Chinatown.

Wat Sitaram

Wat Sitaram is a Thai monastery in Bangkok, located on the Damrong Rak Road near Khlong Maha Nak canal between Wat Saket and Bobae Market, considered to be the temple that is closest to Wat Saket, or temple of Golden Mount.

Wat Soi Thong

Wat Soi Thong is a third-classed royal Buddhist temple in Bangkok. The monastery located by Chao Phraya River near Rama VI Bridge, Rama VII Bridge and Yothinburana School. It was built around 1851, assuming that built by the descendants of Chao Phraya Si Phiphat during King Rama VI’s reign.

Wat Sommanat Wihan

Wat Sommanat Ratchaworawihan or known in short Wat Sommanat Wihan and Wat Sommanat is a second classed royal Thai Buddhist monastery was built in 1853 by the order of King Mongkut as a dedication and memorial to the Queen Consort Somanass Waddhanawathy, his first wife, who died at the age of 17.

Wat Ang Kaeo (Bangkok)

Wat Ang Kaeo is a Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand. It is in a bottom of narrow soi (lane) opposite Siam University, the temple situated by a Khlong Phasi Charoen.

Wat Suwan Khiri

Wat Suwan Khiri, also spelled Wat Suwan Keree is an ancient Thai Buddhist temple in Thonburi side of Bangkok.

Wat Suwannaram

Wat Suwannaram Ratchaworawihan or usually shortened to Wat Suwannaram and Wat Suwan is a historic second-class royal temple in Bangkok located in Soi Charan Sanit Wong 32, Charan Sanit Wong Road, Siri Rat Subdistrict, Bangkok Noi District, Thonburi side on western bank of Khlong Bangkok Noi.

Wat Thepthidaram

Wat Thepthidaram Worawihan or popularly known as Wat Thepthidaram is a third grade royal Buddhist temple in Worawihan type, located in the area known as Pratu Phi or official name Samran Rat, Bangkok, near Mahakan Fort and Wat Ratchanadda.

Wat Pathum Wanaram

Wat Pathum Wanaram or Wat Pathum for short is a Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand. It is located in the Pathum Wan District, between the two shopping malls Siam Paragon and CentralWorld, and across the street of Siam Square.

Wat Nuannoradit

Wat Nuannoradit is the 3rd ranked temple in Thailand. It is on the western side of the Khlong Bangkok Yai and opposite Wat Praduchimplee and Wat Nuan Noradit School.

Wat Bang Khun Thian Nok

Wat Bang Khun Thian Nok, usually shortened to Wat Nok, is a Buddhist temple (wat) in Chom Thong District, Bangkok, Thailand. In the past, this temple was a landmark of the Bang Khun Thian people because there was a canal flowing in front and easy to connect with Chao Phraya River. There have activities such as Loy Krathong, market, Songkran and Buddhist activities.

Wat Intharam – Bangkok

Wat Intharam Worawihan, also commonly known in short as Wat Intharam is a third-class royal temple in the area of Bang Yi Ruea, Thon Buri District, Bangkok. This temple is recognized as “the temple of King Taksin the Great” (1767–1782).

Wat Bowon Sathan Sutthawat

Wat Bowon Sathan Sutthawat is a Thai temple in Bangkok. It’s a historic temple in the area of Front Palace, similar to Wat Phra Kaew inside Grand Palace. Because it is a temple in the palace area, no monks are living inside the temple area. It’s located at 4 Rachini Road, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang Subdistrict, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok within Bunditpatanasilpa Institute in front of foot of Phra Pinklao Bridge opposite entrance of Soi Rambuttri near Tha Chang Wang Na and Bangkok Tourism Division, Culture, Sports and Tourism Department, next to the National Theater. This temple is also known as Wat Phra Kaew Wang Na.

Wat Bowonniwet Vihara

Wat Pavaranivesh Vihara Rajavaravihara is a major Buddhist temple (wat) in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok, Thailand. Being the residence of Nyanasamvara Suvaddhana; the late Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, it is the final resting place of two former kings of Chakri Dynasty; King Vajiravudh Rama VI and King Bhumibol Adulyadej Rama IX.

Wat Bueng Thonglang

Wat Bueng Thonglang is a Buddhist temple in Bang Kapi District, Bangkok, Thailand. It was measured under Theravada School, Section of Maha Nikai. It is located at Lat Phrao 101 Road. The temple was founded in King Rama V period by Longpoo Puk who was ordained in Wat Suthatthepvararam, and was a student of Sangaraja Phea.

Wat Chai Chana Songkhram – Bangkok

Wat Chai Chana Songkhram, or written as Wat Chaichana Songkhram is a Thai Buddhist temple located in the area of Khlong Thom not far from Chinatown, or popularly known as Yaowarat.

Wat Chaiyaphrueksamala

Wat Chaiyaphrueksamala Ratchaworawihan, known in short as Wat Chaiyaphrueksamala and Wat Chaiyaphruek is a second-class royal Buddhist temple in ratchaworawihan type. It is located beside Khlong Maha Sawat, around the mouth of the canal, where it confluences with Khlong Bangkok Noi, northeasternmost of Taling Chan District. Across Khlong Maha Sawat is an area of Tambon Wat Chalo, Bang Kruai District, Nonthaburi Province.

Wat Champa

Wat Champa is an ancient Thai Buddhist temple in Bang Ramat Sub-District, Taling Chan District, Bangkok’s Thonburi side.

Wat Chan Pradittharam

Wat Chan Pradittharam is a Buddhist temple in the Phasi Charoen District of Bangkok, Thailand, by the Thonburi west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The full name of the temple is Wat Chan Pradittharam, named before Wat Chan Pa Khon.

Wat Chana Songkhram

Wat Chanasongkhram Ratchaworamahawiharn, usually shortened to Wat Chana Songkhram, is a second-class royal monastery in Chana Songkram Sub-district, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok, within area of Bang Lamphu opposite to Khaosan Road and next to Rambuttri Road.

Wat Dibayavari Vihara

Wat Dibayavari Vihara, commonly known as Kham Low Yi is a historic Chinese-Vietnamese temple in Bangkok, located at 119 Soi Thip Wari, Tri Phet Road, Wang Burapha Phirom Subdistrict, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok in the area of Ban Mo, opposite to The Old Siam Plaza.

Wat Hong Rattanaram

Wat Hong Rattanaram Ratchaworawihan, or just called Wat Hong Rattanaram is an ancient Thai Buddhist temple located in Bangkok rim the Khlong Bangkok Yai canal. It is classified as the second rank of royal temple and can be considered a temple of Prince Pinklao.

Wat Hua Lamphong

Wat Hua Lamphong is a Royal Buddhist temple, third class, in the Bang Rak District of Bangkok, Thailand.

Wat Kamphaeng Bang Chak

Wat Kamphaeng Bang Chak is an ancient Thai Buddhist temple in Mahā Nikāya sect in Thonburi side of Bangkok, considered as one of the oldest and most dominant temples in Bangkok.

Wat Borom Niwat

Wat Borom Niwat Ratchaworawihan ; also simple known as Wat Borom Niwat or Wat Borom) is a second class royal Thai Buddhist temple, located in the Rong Mueang Subdistrict, Pathum Wan District, downtown Bangkok.

Wat Kanlayanamit

Wat Kalayanamitr Varamahavihara is a Buddhist temple (wat) in Bangkok, Thailand. The temple is located in Wat Kanlaya sub-district, on the Thonburi bank of the Chao Phraya River. The temple was established in 1825 by Chaophraya Nikonbodin, a wealthy Thai Chinese trader, who donated the temple to Rama III. Chaophraya Nikonbodin was an ancestor of the Kalayanamitr family, whose descendants include Saprang Kalayanamitr. A poem inscribed in the temple reads:

Wat Kanmatuyaram

Wat Kanmatuyaram, or written as Wat Kanma Tuyaram is a small Thai civilian temple in Bangkok, located on Mangkon Road, Samphanthawong Sub-district, Samphanthawong District, regarded as another Thai temple located in the area of Bangkok’s Chinatown, in addition to Wat Traimit. The entrance of the temple on Charoen Krung Road opposite to Chinese temple Wat Mangkon Kamalawat. It is the temple in Dhammayuttika Nikaya sect of Buddhism.

Wat Khanikaphon

Wat Khanikaphon is a Thai private temple in Maha Nikaya sect of Buddhism, located on Thanon Phlapphla Chai, Khwaeng Pom Prap, Khet Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok, in front of the Phlapphla Chai Police Office.

Wat Khuha Sawan (Bangkok)

Wat Khuha Sawan or full name Wat Kuha Sawan Worawihan is a historic Buddhist temple in Phasi Charoen District, Bangkok.

Wat Ko – Bangkok

Wat Ko is a Buddhist temple of over 320 years old in the area of Bang Chueak Nang Subdistrict, Taling Chan District, Bangkok. The temple was built during the late Ayutthaya period, but the exact builder name is unknown. It is located on a land surrounded by two waterways Khlong Bang Chueak Nang and Khlong Bang Noi, hence the name “Wat Ko”, which means “island temple”.

Wat Mahannapharam

Wat Mahannapharam Worawihan or Wat Mahan, also known as Wat Mahanop, is a Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand. The first state school for the general public in Thailand was established at the temple in 1884.

Wat Mahathat Yuwaratrangsarit

Wat Mahathat Yuwaratrangsarit is a Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand. It is one of the 10 royal temples of the highest class in Bangkok.

Wat Mangkon Kamalawat

Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, previously known as Wat Leng Noei Yi, is the largest and most important Chinese Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand. It hosts celebrations of a number of year-round events, including Chinese New Year, and the annual Chinese vegetarian festival.

Wat Amarinthraram

Wat Amarinthraram Worawihan, or known in short as Wat Amarinthraram or just Wat Amarin is a Thai Buddhist temple in Thailand. It is located on the southward of canal Khlong Bangkok Noi, next to the Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospital and Bangkok Noi railway station near the foot of Arun Ammarin bridge, considered as the temple that is nearest to Siriraj Hospital.

Wat Nak Prok

Wat Nak Prok is a Thai Buddhist temple in Phasi Charoen District, Bangkok, Thailand. It can be considered as one of the most distinctive temples of the district in addition to nearby Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen. The temple also adjacent Wat Nang Chi to east.

Wat Nang Chi Chotikaram

Wat Nang Chi Chotikaram or Wat Nang Chi Worawihan (วัดนางชีวรวิหาร), simply known as Wat Nang Chai (วัดนางชี) is a Thai Buddhist third-class royal temple in Bangkok.

Wat Nimmanoradi

Wat Nimmanoradi is a Thai Buddhist temple in Bangkok. It is a third grade royal monastery by the canal Khlong Phasi Charoen in the border of Phasi Charoen area, just across the canal is Bang Khae area. Therefore, this temple is often mistaken for its location in district of Bang Khae.

Wat Molilokkayaram

Wat Molilokkayaram Ratchawarawihan or simply Wat Molilokkayaram is an ancient Thai temple site between Wat Arun and Wat Kalayanamitr rim Khlong Bangkok Yai near Anuthin Sawat Bridge and close to Tonson Mosque.