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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.
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