Bangkok Temples and Traditions

Bangkok's temples are a unique part of the capital's heart and soul. The architecture is inspiring and glittering decoration is stunning.

Jim Thompson Museum
Despite the name, the Jim Thompson House is one of the bestpreserved examples of a traditional Thai house in the city. This remarkable house-cum-museum, once home to the American silk entrepreneur Jim Thompson,accommodatesThompson's vast collection of antiques and artwork from all over Southeast Asia. Jim Thompson's marketing skills helped turn the fortunes of an ailing Thai silk industry around, and the brand that bears his name is, to this day, regarded as the fi nest brand of Thai silk. Jim Thompson's House is located alongside Saen Saeb Canal on Soi Kasem San 2, off Rama I Road.

Royal Barge National Museum
Thailand's ornately carved and decorated Royal Barges are displayed in boatsheds on Khlong (Canal) Bangkok Noi, located on the Thonburi side of the river. The barges are used on royal occasions and formerly served as war vessels.

Wat Arunratchawararam Ratchaworamahawihan (Wat Arun / Temple of the Dawn)
This famous Chao Phraya riverbank landmark, located 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 Benchamabophit Dusitwanaram Tatchaworawihan (The Marble Temple)
Constructed in 1899 byKing Rama V, its walls are covered with Carrara marble from Italy.

Wat Phra Kaeo (The Emeral Buddha Temple)
The Temple of the Emerald Buddha, located in a separate complex within the compound of the Grand Palace, is Thailand's holiest shrine. Offi cially named Wat Phra Si Rattanasatsadaram, the temple complex was modeled on the temples of the Sukhothai and Ayuttaya eras. Even though small in size, the Emerald Buddha is considered one of the most important icons for Thai people. The sacred Buddha was fi rst brought to Thonburi, currently the west side of Bangkok, by King Taksin the Great. In 1784, King Rama I moved the statue to the current location in Bangkok. It should be pointed out that the Emerald Buddha is in reality carved from a large piece of green jade. The word in Thai for emerald means “green colored”.

Wat Phrachetuphon Wimonmungkhalaram Ratchaworamahawihan (Wat Po / The Reclining Buddha Temple)
This large and extensive temple neighbors 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.

Wat Saket Ratchaworamahawihan (Golden Mountain)
Wat Saket's major feature is the Golden Mount, dating from the mid 19th century. It is an artifi cial hill topped by agilded pagoda, which is 260 feet in height. Begun by King Rama III and completed in the reign of King Rama IV, the golden mountain is one of the most celebrated landmarks in Bangkok's old area. The golden Chedi houses relics of the Buddha and affords visitors who climb its 318steps a panoramic view of Bangkok from the top.

Wat Suthat Thepwararam Ratchaworamahawihan
Surrounded by the greatest concentration of Buddhistsupply shops in Bangkok, Wat Suthat is one of the most important Buddhist centers in the kingdom. This temple, which Somerset Maugham declared to have the most beautiful roofl ine, is among the oldest and largest in Bangkok.

The Erawan Shrine
The Erawan Shrine is a shrine that houses a statue of a four-faced Brahma or “Than Tao Mahaprom”, who is believed to be a Brahma god full of kindness, mercy,sympathyandimpartiality. Each virtue is represented in the four faces of the image, radiating serene grace. The shrine is visited on a daily basis by hundreds of people who make very specifi c prayers, and offer services to Brahma if their prayer is granted. Such service might include an offering of a garland of fl owers, or purchasing lotus fl owers and candles for the temple. There are often feature performances by resident Thai dance troupes hired by worshippersin return for seeing their prayers answered. The shrine is considered to be one of the most sacred in Bangkok and has given many people the inner strength to ease the burdens they face in their lives, while struggling to overcome problems.

The Giant Swing
The Giant Swing, which is in close vicinity of the BMA headquarters, was used in an annual ceremony that was observed just before World War II to celebrate the rice harvest. Men used to ride on the Giant Swing and try to grab a bag of silver coins attached to a pole, but today only the bright red teak arch remains.

Vimanmek Mansion Museum
This is the world's largest golden teak building, built in 1910 by King Rama V upon his return from Europe. The Vimanmek Mansion has an elaborate architectural style refl ecting a western influence and is located in the compound of the Dusit Palace on Ratchwithi Road. In 1982, on the auspicious occasion of the Royal Bicentennial Celebrations of Bangkok, Her Majesty the Queen asked for His Majesty's permission to renovate the mansion for use as a museum to honor King Rama V by displaying the king's photographs, art and artifacts commemorating royal visits to Europe, and also to exhibit Thai handicrafts in a showcase of national heritage. In addition, other beautiful buildings in the same compound display various items and artistic objects; such as H.M. King Bhumibol's photographs, H.M. Queen Sirikit's collection of handicraft masterpieces created by rural people, paraphernalia of rank and also portraits, old clocks, and cloth.