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Attractions
- Temples
Grand
Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo (Tel:
222-0094, 222-6889, 222-2208)
 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 (Tel: 222-6011, 222-8004)
 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 (Tel: 222-0933)
 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. Admission
fee is 20 Baht.
Wat
Arun (Temple of Dawn) (Tel: 465-5640) Details
 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) (Tel: 281-2501)
 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 Details
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.
Admission
to Wat Saket is free except for the final approach to the Golden
Mountain summit;
which costs 10 Baht.
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.
Wat Paramal Yikawat was constructed
in Mon style over 200 years ago. King Rama V commanded to renovate
the monastery dedicated to his grandmother and to construct Phra
Maha Raman Chedi (a chedi in Mon style) to house Buddha relics.
The principal Buddha of the monastery is carved with marble in Mon
style, so it is also called "Wat Mon" (Mon Temple).
Wat Phal Lom is well-known for the
magnificent bot (ordination hall) in the Ayutthaya style. Some parts
have been changed due to renovation. Behind the bot, there is a
chedi in Mon style.
Wat
Sao Thong Thong
houses an old Ayutthaya style chedi and was the first secondary
school in Pak Kret.
Wat Suwannaram
is a big royal monastery constructed during the reign of King Rama
I and was subsequently renovated during the reign of King Rama III.
Inside the bot, there are murals depicting the jataka, deities and
the Buddha image in Subduing Mara Posture. These works of art of
the early Rattanakosin period (1 9th century) are considered as
the best surviving mural painting in Bangkok.
Wat
Si Sudaram or Wat Chi Pakhao
was built during the Ayutthaya period and was renovated by King
Rama I. The temple houses some interesting buildings including Tam
Nak Daeng (a pavilion). Sala Kan Parian (a sermon hall) , and the
residence of Sunthon Phu (the greatest poet of the Rattanakosin
period). Moreover, visitors can enjoy feeding a number of freshwater
fish here.
Wat
Chalo
is assumed to have been constructed during the Sukhothai period
as some Buddha images in Sukhothai style were found in front of
the bot.
Wat
Pho Bang O
is a monastery constructed during the reign of King Rama III. The
top of the bot was made of wood; mural painting inside the bot was
made during the existence of the Nonthaburi school of painting.
Wat
Bang 0l Chang
houses a 200-year-old Buddha sole, which was found by Phra Khru
Nawa Kam Koson (the first abbot of this monastery) while traveling
in Phitsanuloke province during 1986 A.D.
Wat
Kaeo Fa
is an ancient temple located in an open area next to Khlong Bangkok
Noi. According to archaeologists, many buildings and art objects
here were constructed in the Ayutthaya style; for example; the Ubosot,
the Buddha image, the boundary stones, the boundary wall, the chedi
behind the bot and the chedi with 12 cornered indented pillar. The
monastery later was renovated during the Rattanakosin period.
Wat
Prasat
was built during the Late Ayutthaya period. The monastery is well-known
for its well-preserved mural painting made by artisans of the Nonthaburi
school, and the gable made of carved timber. Visitors who come along
by boat have to walk about 2 kilometers through orchards from the
pier.
Wat
Amphawan
was constructed during the Late Ayutthaya period. This temple houses
Ho Trai (a hall for keeping scriptures) which is situated in the
middle of a pond. The building was made of wood in magnificent Thai
style.
Wat
Pak Nam
is famous for amulets and is always crowded with a number of people
who come to make merit during the weekend.
Wat
Ko
houses an old viharn (chapel) which was registered as an archaeological
site.
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