Wat’s the Deal with Bangkok? 5 Temples You Shouldn’t Miss
Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand. The area has been the capital since before the country was even referred to as Thailand. It’s also the most populous city in Thailand with a population of more than 10.5 million people.
Statistically speaking, the vast majority of that population will practice some form of Buddhism, likely Theravada Buddhism, with current estimates positing that more than 93 percent of the Thai population being Buddhist.
Theravada Buddhism is the state religion of Thailand, as per the Thai constitution. The king, by law, is required to be Theradava Buddhist.
As such, it should come as no surprise that the capital has quite the collection of Buddhist temples (wats), many of which are open to the public and have become tourist attractions.
But which ones should a tourist check out? After all, most tourists have limited time in the city and no matter what tours they go on.
This means that tourists may have to be selective when it comes to which attractions and temples they want to see and experience. So, which attractions should they see and experience?
The Grand Palace
Thailand has a monarchy and it’s the kind of monarchy that you shouldn’t speak carelessly about because that’s illegal in Thailand. But that monarchy needs to be based somewhere, and until 1987, it was based in the Grand Palace.
Nowadays, the monarchs don’t reside in the Grand Palace. However, the palace still has cultural significance and is used for official events and ceremonies. It’s also an incredibly popular tourist attraction. Keep in mind the Grand Palace isn’t so much a singular palace as it is several buildings in a compound.
Wat Pho
Less than a quarter mile away from the Grand Palace is Wat Pho, the oldest of Bangkok’s temples. Once famed for both its pharmacy and its university, Wat Pho is now a center for spiritual healing and alternative forms of medicine. Guests can also get massages here, though they are priced higher than at other locations in the city.
Wat Pho is also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. In this temple, you’ll find a massive (45m) statue of Buddha lying on his side. The statue is a tourist attraction in and of itself, so stopping by will kill two birds with one stone.
Just keep in mind to dress appropriately when going to a Wat. That means that your knees and shoulders must be covered. Some temples have a sarong or a scarf that guests can borrow, but not all of them may have that.
Wat Phra Kaew
Speaking of Wats and Temples, Wat Phra Kaew, or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is another item that you need to check out while in Bangkok. This wat is located within the grounds of the aforementioned Grand Palace and is regarded as one of the most sacred temples in the whole of Thailand.
The Wat, as the name would suggest, is home to a statue of Buddha that is carved out of green jade. Prior to being in the Wat, the statue traveled across India, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Laos.
Wat Benchamabophit
Wat Benchamabophit is known as the Marble Temple. Some people also refer to it as Wat Ben, because its full name Wat Benchamabophit Dusitwanaram, is a bit of a mouthful. In English, the name translates to Monastery of the Fifth King near Dusit Palace. This is because the complex that is close to the temple, Dusit Palace, was commissioned by King Chulalongkorn the Great, or Rama V and was designed by his half-brother Prince Naris.
Housed inside the marble ubosot (main prayer room) of the temple is an image of Buddha, Phra Buddha Chinnarat. The statue depicts Buddha subduing Mara, or calling the Earth to witness, seated in meditation pose and is one of the most common ways in which Buddha is depicted. Behind the prayer hall is a bodhi tree which was brought all the way from Boghaya, India — the place where the Buddha reached enlightenment.
Don’t be surprised to see outsiders bringing food into the temple. This is not for them to eat. Rather, it is for the monks who live there as Wat Ben in an active temple and not just a tourist attraction. Wat Ben is currently being evaluated as a potential UNESCO World Heritage site.
If you do want to stop by, keep in mind to do so during the hours of 8am and 530pm as that is when the temple is open to visitors. Also, don’t forget the cover fee of 20 baht per person.
Wat Saket
Wat Saket is one of the oldest temples in Bangkok. It dates back to the Ayutthaya era, which ended in 1767. For context, that means it precedes both the American and French revolutions. It was originally named Wat Sakae. When King Rama I became the ruler, it was renamed Wat Saket Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan, Wat Saket for short.
Historically, the temple was used to cremate the poor who couldn’t afford a funeral or other similar services. An epidemic during the reign of King Rama II stretched the temple to its limits.
The main attraction of the Wat is the 80m hill, referred to as the Golden Mount. Because of it, Wat Saket is known as the Temple of the Golden Mount. On top of that mount is a gilded stupa. The stupa is a pagoda and is oftentimes the most sacred part of a Wat. The one at Wat Saket was, at one point, the highest point in all of Bangkok.
The hill was originally created under King Rama III. However, the stupa collapsed because the soil was far too soft to support it. Under King Rama IV, the hill was made higher and reinforced with logs to prevent the soil from sinking. It was once again reinforced with concrete during the 1940’s.
The current stupa that sits on top of it comes from the reign of King Rama V and it houses many relics of the Buddha which were brought over from India. If you want to head up to the stupa, there’s a fee of 10 baht, though the temple itself is free.
Bangkok is an old city, one that is seeped with its fair share of history. History which is evident in its temples and palaces. If you want to experience part of this history for yourself, then go ahead. The entrance fees aren’t exorbitant.
