Buddhist Temples in Thailand that are Tourists’ Favorite Destinations

Thailand is a country with a majority of Buddhists, so it is no surprise that many temples are located there. Most temples remain active places of worship for Buddhists, even though they are open to the public as tourist attractions.

Although they are all temples, each temple in Thailand has its own unique characteristics. Feeling intrigued? Do try visiting these temples when you travel to Thailand.

Wat Phra Kaew

All temples are sacred, but Wat Phra Kaew is considered the most sacred in Thailand. The temple is located within the Grand Palace complex, which is also a favorite tourist spot in Thailand. It is particularly special because the temple houses the famous Buddha statue, Phra Kaew Morakot or the Emerald Buddha. Despite its name, this Buddha statue is actually made of nephrite, not emerald.

Wat Phra Kaew began construction in 1783 and the Emerald Buddha was moved there from Wat Arun in 1784 in a grand ceremony. The statue is mounted on a magnificent stupa, making it appear even more sacred.

If you want to visit, you can go to the Grand Palace, and an entrance ticket will cost you ฿ 500. To get to this area, it is recommended that you use car as transportation, such as an online app-based taxi.

Wat Pho

After visiting the Grand Palace, it would be best to also visit Wat Pho. Their locations are quite close to each other, so you can visit both on the same day. You can even walk there or try Thailand’s traditional transportation, the tuk tuk.

So, what makes this temple special? Wat Pho is the oldest temple in Thailand. Its full name is Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan and it is located in Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok. The temple has existed for a long time, even before Rama I designated Bangkok the capital of Thailand. However, there is no certain data about when exactly the temple was built.

Another special feature of the temple is the giant reclining Buddha statue. It is 46 meters long and 15 meters tall. To visit Wat Pho, you need to pay an entrance fee of ฿ 200.

Wat Traimit

Wat Traimit is located in Chinatown in Bangkok, Thailand. The main highlight of this temple, making it a must-see, is the largest Buddha statue in the world. What is more amazing is that this Buddha statue is made of pure gold.

The gold Buddha statue is 15 feet, or about 4.5 meters, tall and weighs 5.5 tons. The statue shows the Buddha in a sitting posture and its pure gold material makes it look both opulent and elegant.

Apart from enjoying the opulent and elegant statue, you can also visit the museum in this area. To get to Wat Traimit, you can take the MRT to Hua Lamphong Station and then walk from there. The entrance fee to Wat Traimit is ฿ 100 if you only want to see the Buddha statue and ฿ 200 if you also want to go to the museum.

Wat Arun

Wat Arun is the most beautiful temple in Thailand, with a magnificent structure. This is not only due to its architecture but also its location on the riverside. In fact, Wat Arun is nicknamed the “Temple of Dawn” because it stands majestically over the water. The tower is decorated with colorful details, and its beauty is clearly visible when the sun begins to set.

You can visit Wat Arun after touring Wat Pho. To get there, you can take a boat from Saphan Taksin Pier to Pier 8. Then, a smaller boat will take you to the temple.

Wat Arun is the tallest Buddhist temple in Thailand and has existed since the first king of Thailand, King Taksin ruled in 1768. If you are interested in visiting this temple, you only need to pay an entrance fee of ฿ 100.

There are many interesting temples you can visit when you go to Thailand. However, before you visit, it is good to know some rules for touring these temples, including:

• Wear proper clothing (no shorts or tank tops)

• Remove your footwear when entering the inner temple area

• Do not cause disturbances in the temple area

• No smoking

• Respect any worship activities in the temple

• Do not step on the threshold when entering the temple, instead step over it

Now that you know the tourist spots to visit and the rules, it is time to plan your trip to Thailand. For your peace of mind during travel, make sure to purchase International Travel Insurance from MSIG Indonesia.