Temples

Welcome to Bangkok  Wat Phra Kaew   Wat Pho   Wat Arun

> Wat Phra Kaew

Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand, which is located in the historic center of Bangkok, within the grounds of the Grand Palace.

Having constructed in 1785, unlike other temples, Wat Phra Kaew does not contain living quarters for monks, but rather has only the highly decorated holy buildings, statues, and pagodas.

The main building houses the Emerald Buddha. The wall surrounding the temple area – from the outside only a plain white wall – is painted with scenes from the Thai version of the Ramayana mythology. Several statues in the temple area resemble figures from this story, most notably the giants (yak), five-meter high statues. Also originating from the Ramayana are the monkey kings and giants, which surround the golden chedis.

> Wat Pho

Wat Pho is a Buddhist temple located in Bangkok directly adjacent to the Grand Palace and also known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. Prior to the temple's founding, the site was a centre of education for traditional Thai medicine, and statues were created showing yoga positions.

Wat Pho is the one of the largest and oldest wat in Bangkok (with an area of 50 rai) and is home to more than one thousand Buddha images, as well as one of the largest single Buddha images: the Reclining Buddha (Phra Buddhasaiyas). Made as part of Rama III's restoration, the Reclining Buddha is forty-six metres long and fifteen metres high, decorated with gold plating on his body and mother of pearl on his eyes and the soles of his feet.

> Wat Arun

Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) is a buddhist temple in Bangkok. The outstanding feature of Wat Arun is its central prang (Khmer-style tower). Steep steps lead to the two terraces. The prangs are decorated by seashells and bits of porcelain which had previously been used as ballast by boats coming to Bangkok from China. Around the base of the prangs are various figures of ancient Chinese soldiers and animals.

The temple was built in the days of Thailand's ancient capital of Ayutthaya and originally known as Wat Makok (The Olive Temple). In the ensuing era when Thonburi was capital, King Taksin changed the name to Wat Chaeng. The Wat had a brief period as host of the Emerald Buddha, which was moved to Wat Phra Kaew in 1784.

The later King Rama II changed the name to Wat Arunratchatharam. He restored the temple and enlarged the central prang. The work was finished by King Rama III. King Rama IV gave the temple the present name Wat Arunratchawararam.

As a sign of changing times, Wat Arun officially ordained its first westerner in 2005. Sean Patrick from America.