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Wat Phra
Kaeo: Wat Phra Kaeo , situated in the same compound of the Grand
Palace, is a treasure house of Thai arts, and houses the Emerald
Buddha, the most revered Buddha image in Thailand. Three main
buildings inside the temple which form up a glittering scene are the
Golden Stupa, enshrining the relics of the Buddha, the Phra Mondop or
the Library, housing the Tripitaka or a Buddhist scripture, the Royal
Pantheon which is a pavilion used for keeping statues of deceased
kings of Chakri dynasty. Besides, the 178 section mural paintings
which depict the story of the Ramayana are the superb masterpiece of
Rattanakosin artisans.
The compound of Wat Phra Kaeo and the Grand Palace is open daily from
8.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m.. The admission fee is 200 baht , including the
entry to the Royal Thai Decorations & Coins Pavilion in the same
compound and to Vimanmek Mansion Museum on Ratchawithi Road.
Wat
Pho:This large and extensive temple neighbours the Grand Palace
enclave and contains a gigantic gold plated Reclining Buddha, some 46
metres long and 15 metres high, with beautifully inlaid
mother-of-pearl soles. Wat Pho is also regarded as the first centre of
public education and is sometimes called ‘Thailand’s first
university’. Mural paintings, inscriptions, and statues found in the
temple educated people on varied subjects such as literature, warfare,
archaeology, astronomy, geology, meditation and Thai traditional
massage. It is open daily from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.. Admission fee
is 20 baht.
Wat
Arun: Located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, the
temple can be reached either by Arun Amarin Road or by boat from Tha
Tien Pier, near Wat Pho. The most attractive structure is the 79 metre
high pagoda, which is decorated with ceramic tiles and fragments of
multi-coloured porcelain. It is also called the ‘Temple of
Dawn’, and the most beautiful view of it is from the east
side of the river at sunset.
Wat
Mahathat: 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 is open daily from 9.00
a.m. to 5.00 p.m..
Wat
Suthat: The temple is located on Bamrung Muang Road. It took 27
years, during the reigns of the first three kings of the Chakri
Dynasty, to complete the construction. This temple is noted for its 19th
century murals. The Viharn (preaching hall) should be seen for its
collection of gilded Buddha images. The temple used to house a huge
door with intricate carving, The temple complex is open daily from
9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.. In front of the temple is the Giant Swing or
Sao Ching Cha where a Brahmanic ceremony had taken place until the
early 20th century. Many shops near the Giant Swing stock a
very comprehensive range of Buddhist religious supplies.
Wat
Saket (The Golden Mount) : Wat Saket’s major feature is the
Golden Mount, dating from the 1800. It is an artificial hill topped by
a gilded pagoda which is 260 feet in height from its base. Begun by
King Rama III and completed in the reign of King Rama IV, the golden
mount is one of the most celebrated landmarks in Bangkok’s old area
and offers a panoramic city view from the top.
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 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 to the country, and a memorial statue of King Rama III.
Wat
Benchamabophit: Also known as the Marble Temple, this temple is on
Sri Ayutthaya Road near the Chitralada Palace. The main building 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
Trai Mit: Located at the end of Chinatown’s Yaowarat Road near the
Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lam Phong), this temple is known for its
famous Golden Buddha. The beautiful image of solid gold is three
metres high and weighs five and a half tons. The temple is open
everyday from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
The City Pillar Shrine (San Lak
Muang): The graceful, temple-like structure houses a wooden pillar
placed there by King Rama I in 1782 as the foundation stone for the new
capital of Bangkok. The shrine is across the street from Wat Phra Kaeo.
Erawan Shrine: Located on
Ratchadamri Road, the shrine devoted to Phra Phrom, a Hindu god, is
greatly revered by people. Laced flowers and small wooden elephants as
well as Thai dancing performances are always offered to the statue by
grateful devotees.  |