Temples in Thailand - The place for worshippers

Seeking to do a good deed in Thailand? The Coffin Temple would be the best place to do so. In this land of smiles, it is considered to be doing a highly honourable act of you donate coffins. Even if you are not a believer, you can do so by using only 500 Baht to purchase a coffin which will be donated to the unfortunate individuals who have died of illness, accidents or those whose bodies are unclaimed. read more »

Located at the west of the Chao Phraya River, Wat Arun is one of the best known landmarks and one of the most published images of Bangkok. It is better known as the Temple of Dawn, named after the Indian God of Dawn. With its beautiful architecture and fine craftsmanship, Wat Arun has earned its reputation as one of the most outstanding temples in Thailand. read more »

Wat Pho, also known as Wat Phra Chetuphon, is the largest temple in Bangkok. It is famous for the huge and majestic reclining Buddha it houses. Being gold-plated, the Buddha is an impressive sight at 46 meters long and 15 meters high, designed to illustrate the passing of Buddha into nirvana. read more »

The Temple of Emerald Buddha, also known as the Wat Phra Kaew, is considered as the most vital and the key Buddhist temple in Thailand. Being situated in the historical center of Bangkok and within the Grand Palace, the Temple of Emerald Buddha, as its name suggests, enshrines the magnificent Buddha image which is carved from jade. The Emerald Buddha, also known as the Phra Putta Maha Mani Ratana Patimakorn, is a meditating Buddha that is highly sacred and respected by Thais throughout the entire country. read more »

Wat Saket, popularly known as the Golden Mount, is a temple complex that dates back to the Ayutthaya era, when it underwent major renovations during King Rama I's reign. The temple grounds feature typical Buddhist structures such as the main chapel, ordination hall and library, as well as many mature trees. The top of Wat Saket is also a sacred pilgrimage site during the weeklong worshipping period in November, with the ascent being an exhausting 318 steps that encircle the chedi. read more »

Wat Suan Dok is a temple in Chiang Mai that was built amid the pleasure gardens of the 14th-century Lanna Thai monarch, King Ku Na. It functions as a study center for monks who have isolated themselves from the distractions of the outside world. There are several unique features to this temple that visitors would not be able to see in any other temple in Chiang Mai, such as its large prayer hall that is open on the sides instead of being totally enclosed, and the largest chedi that is believed to contain a relic that self-replicated. read more »

Wat Phrathart Doi Suthep is a Buddhist temple that anyone visiting Chiang Mai should not miss. Perched on the mountainside near the summit of Doi Suthep Hill at some 3,500 feet above sea level, the temple can be seen from anywhere in the city. Built in the late 14th century under King Geu Na, Wat Phrathart Doi Suthep served as the centre of Buddhism in Lanna, and attracts many pilgrims and tourists today. read more »

Located in Chaiya of Surat Thani, Phra Borom That Chaiya is an ancient chedi that houses Buddha relics, high revered by the local residents. Its architecture is also reflective of Srivijaya's influence on religious architecture, believed to have been built more than 1,200 years ago. The temple also houses other sculptures and Buddha images. read more »

Tiger Temple is a temple where the monks adopt the world fiercest cats: tigers. Here, about 15 tigers are kept for public viewing and petting, being a major tourist attraction. The tigers are chained for safety reasons, and visitors can enjoy photo opportunities with them, from sitting just a few feet from a few tigers wrestling in the water to having a tiger rest its head on their lap! Tiger Temple has a strict dress code though, with women expected to cover their shoulders and knees so as not to offend the celibate monks. read more »

Wat Kam Pang Laeng is the temple which is influenced by the Khmer Art. Wat Kam Pang Laeng looks as if it was constructed with only bricks stacked on top of one another without any other advanced technology for construction of the towers being used. It is a magnificent scale like that of the ancient Siam. read more »

Another significant temple located on the Khao Takiab (also known as the Chopstick Hill in Hua Hin), Wat Khao Takiab is also sometimes known as Wat Khao Lad. It is recognised for the number of people who visit the temple to seek enlightenment and practice meditation. The main attraction of the temple is the Buddha image that measures up to 20m high. read more »

The spot where Wat Phra Borommathat is at today, used to be the ancient city of Tak in the past. A temple of such magnificent scale, the architectural wonder of the entire place would definitely take you in awe as the roofs of Wat Phra Borommathat is also elaborately designed and carved. According to records, Lord Buddha had visited Tak in the past and presented a strand of his hair to his followers in Tak. read more »

Built by Shan workers in the early 20th century, Wat Chom Sawan is a multi-tiered wooden temple constructed in Burmese architectural style, using largely teak wood. It is regarded as the most beautiful structure in the Lanna region, taking up to 5 years to build. It is notable for the decorative use of tin stencil on the coffered ceilings and interior columns. read more »

Constructed in the year 1863, Wat Hua Wiang is the most popular tourist spot inside Mae Hong Son. It is situated just next to the morning market. It is open to visitors throughout the day, with free admission. read more »

The most famous temple in the City of Nan, Wat Phumin is a uniquely designed temple, featuring a 4-portico, single building that houses both the Ubosot and Vihan. Wat Phumin consists of 4 Buddha statues in the main hall, with their backs against one another, facing 4 different directions. The temple is also constructed with very fine detail, with the doors delicately carved in splendid designed by Lanna craftsmen. read more »

Situated near Nong Bua Market, San Chao Pu Ya is a beautiful Chinese shrine that is next to a pond. It houses a beautiful huge model of a golden dragon. Standing at 99 meters tall, it is used in the celebrations for the annual Thung Si Muang festival in December. read more »

Wat Phra Mahathat is one of the most striking temples in Ayutthaya. It was built in the heart of the city in 1384 during the period where Kind Rachatirat is in power. Wat Phra Mahathat is also one of the earliest and largest monasteries. read more »

The oldest temple in Chiang Mai, Wat Chiang Man is even older than the city itself, being constructed during the reign of King Mengrai while overseeing the construction of Chiang Mai. It has a unique architecture, with its chedi having 15 lifesize elephant carvings incorporated into its base. Wat Chiang Man also houses one of the most treasured artifacts in Thailand - a Buddha image called the Phra Sae Tang Kamani (Crystal Buddha), believed to be carved around the period before 1296. read more »

Found in Chiang Mai, Wat Pa Pao is a unique temple that was built late in the 19th century by the Thai Yai community, an ethnic group originating in the Shan States of Burma. As such, it is a striking example of a Burmese style temple, having a roof that is made up of leveled tiers instead of the classic pointed roof. The interior of the temple houses three Buddha images. read more »

One of Chiang Mai's most visited temple, Wat Phra Singh is a place not to be missed for those who visit Chiang Mai. Built in 1345 by King Pha Yu for the ashes of his father, it fell into disrepair until restoration in 19th century under Chao Kawila, a project continued by his successor Chao Thammalangka. Wat Phra Singh derives much of its fame and popularity from housing the city's most revered Buddha image, Phra Singh (Lion Buddha), it has drawn many tourists and locals who visit to catch a glimpse of this original 14th-century treasure. read more »

First built in 1448 A.D. during the reign of King Boromtrilokanath, Wat Phra Si Sanphet is the largest temple ruin in Ayutthaya. read more »