|
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.
|