Renata KowalskaBuddhism first arrived in Thailand over 1,500 years ago. The country is home to one of the largest Buddhist populations in the world, with around 90% of Thais following the faith. This means there are plenty of Buddhist temples across Thailand where you can find peace and solitude as well as participate in religious activities. The country has more than 3,000 registered Buddhist temples, many of which are small shrines or forest retreats. However, most people only know about a handful of these places and that’s why they are so popular as pilgrimage destinations. Below we’ll explore some of the most popular Buddhist sites in Thailand. Scroll down to read more about each shrine.
If you are wondering what vaccinations you should visit before traveling abroad, read about it on the Vaccines and Travel Medicine page.
Pimpandramawihan Temple
This temple is located in the city of Ayutthaya. It is the oldest existing Thai temple, having been built in the late 13th century. Dating back to the Sukhothai period, it was the royal temple of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. The main compound of the temple is surrounded by a moat. A hidden island in the moat was where the king used to reside. The temple was later converted into a Buddhist university. The university had various degrees such as “Dhammakaya”, “Phanom Rung”, “Phanom Si”, “Wat Ratchanatdaram” and “Wat Tham Suphan”. Due to the royal association, the temple was later converted into a royal temple. In 1932, King Rama VIII officially converted the temple into a public temple.
Wat Arun (Thai: วัดอรุณ; meaning “Temple of Dawn”)
Wat Arun is a Buddhist temple located in Bangkok. The temple is famous for its beautiful architecture, especially the golden “wilayah”, or “water palace”, which is one of the main attractions of the temple. The temple was built in the early 16th century. However, the exterior of the temple wasn’t built until 1593, when King Maha Thamrasat I of the Ayutthaya Kingdom had the temple built as his funerary monument. The exterior of the temple has a series of five-tiered roofs. The lower roof is covered with gold, symbolizing the success of the monk who built the temple. The upper four roofs are covered with a mixture of gold and silver, while the central roof is covered with pure gold. The walls of the temple are decorated with beautiful murals depicting the life of Lord Buddha.
If you are wondering what vaccinations you should visit before traveling abroad, read about it on the Vaccines and Travel Medicine page.
Dusit Dtivanee Temple
Dusit Dtivanee is a Buddhist temple located in Bangkok. The temple’s name means “Temple of the Beneficent Auspiciousness,” and its architecture is an example of a blend of Thai and Chinese motifs. Dusit Dtivanee was built in the early 18th century. The temple was built by the royal family of the Thonburi Kingdom as a place for the Buddhist monks to rest and study. The temple has Chinese architectural influences, such as the use of Chinese-style side gates. The interior of the temple is decorated with colorful frescoes depicting the life of the Buddha. The temple is also famous for its beautiful garden, which is the second largest in Bangkok after the Queen’s Garden in the center of the city.
Before traveling, remember to vaccinate. You will perform them in the travel medicine clinic.
On top of that if you are considering a trip abroad please think about going to a dentist. Spend your holiday travelling not in a dentist clinic.
Wat Phra Kaew (Royal Temple)
Wat Phra Kaew (Thai: วัดพระเก้า; meaning “Temple of the Great Relic”) is a Buddhist temple located in Bangkok. The temple’s main attraction is its collection of ancient Buddhist artifacts, called the “Wat Phra Kaew Collection.” The collection includes invaluable stone sculptures, hand-written manuscripts, and ancient gold and silver religious artifacts. The temple was built in 1782 by Rama I as a mausoleum for his beloved consort, Queen Sao Mai. The temple was used as a royal mortuary temple until 1932, when it was converted into a public temple. The temple has become famous for housing many of the most important and valuable artefacts of Thailand’s Buddhist history, including the Phra Kaew collection. The collection contains over 2,000 Buddhist relics, including metal statues and wooden carvings, which were found in various Buddhist sites across the country and brought together by the royal family.
Sanam Luang (St. Sanam)
Sanam Luang is a Buddhist temple located in Bangkok. The temple is known for its beautiful architecture and is one of the most visited Buddhist temples in the city. The temple’s architecture resembles a Vairocana Buddha statue, which is a type of Buddha that was often worshiped in Sukhothai. The architecture of the temple was influenced by the building style of the former capital city of Sukhothai. The interior of the temple is decorated with beautiful murals depicting the life of Lord Buddha. A highlight of the temple is the main Buddha statue, which is covered with 1,500 pieces of gold leaf.
Before traveling, remember to vaccinate. You will perform them in the travel medicine clinic.
