Historical Sites - Wat Pak Nam

Wat Pak Nam

Wat Pak Nam, in Samut Prakan province southeast of Bangkok, is a very large wat with a sizeable population of monks and nuns. Many foreigners have stayed at this temple over the years.

The temple is perhaps best known for its meditation lessons. The meditation teacher can speak some English or the junior monks are able to interpret.

Getting to this temple is probably easiest by chartered long-tailed boat from Tha Chang or Tha Saphan Phut.

Toed Thai Road, Phasi Charoen, Thonburi

Historical Sites - Wat Mahathat

Wat Mahathat

Just across the street from Wat Phra Kaew is Wat Mahathat, the so-called Temple of the Great Relic. Built in the 1700s, Wat Mahathat is the national center for the Mahanikaya sect and the Mahathat Rajavidyalaya University, one of Asia's highest seats of Buddhist learning.

This temple also houses the International Buddhist meditation Centre, which offers English instruction in meditation. Those interested in learning 'wipassana' (insight) meditation should visit Section 5 of the temple compound to arrange information and practice with the Buddhist monks.

Wat Mahathat is open daily from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Admission is free.

Historical Sites - Wat Indravihan

Wat Indravihan

Wat Indravihan is well known for its 32-meter-tall standing Buddha image. Built in a modern style during the reign of King Rama IV, the topknot of the Buddha image contains a relic of the Lord Buddha brought from Sri Lanka. Offerings are placed at the feet of the towering image.

Wat Indravihan is located on Wisut Kasat Road off Samsen Road, not far from the Thewet Flower Market. The temple is open to the public every day and admission is free.

Historical Sites - Wat Bowonniwet

Wat Bowonniwet

The seat of the Thammayut monastic sect and Bangkok's second university of Buddhism, Wat Bowonniwet is one of Bangkok's most important temples. Built in 1829, the temple houses the shrine hall of Phutthachinasri, which was molded in the mid 14th century.

King Rama IV, founder of the Thammayut sect resided at the monastery as a monk and abbot for several years. Other kings including King Rama VII and HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and HRH the Crown Prince have been ordained as monks here.

Wat Bowonniwet is located on Phra Sumen Road in Banglamphu District. The temple is open daily from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm and admission is free.

Historical Sites - Wat Benchamabophit, The Marble Temple

Wat Benchamabophit, The Marble Temple

Prince Narisaranuwatiwongse built Wat Benchamabophit, the Marble Temple, at the turn of the century from white Carrara marble. The main Buddha image, a copy of Phitsanulok's Phra Phuttha Chinnarat, contains the ashes of King Rama V. The temple gallery exhibits 53 Buddha images representing the various iconographic styles from around the country. Early morning is a good time to visit the Marble Temple when the Buddhist monks are chanting inside the chapel. The monks receive alms at the temple between 6.00 and 7.00 am instead of the usual practice of going out to receive alms.

Located on the corner of Si Ayutthaya and Rama V Roads near Chitralada Palace, the Marble Temple is open until 5.00 pm with a 10 baht admission charge.

Historical Sites - Victory Monument

Victory Monument

The single spiked Victory Monument (Anutsawari Chaisamoraphum) is located at the center of a traffic roundabout at the intersections of Phahonyothin, Phayathai and Ratchawithi Roads. Currently the BTS elevated rail system loops along the eastern side of the Victory Monument.

The monument was erected in 1941 by the Pibulsongkhram administration in honor of the heroic deeds of soldiers and civilians who died during the border dispute between Thailand and France.

Historical Sites - Suan Pakkard Palace

Suan Pakkard Palace

The "Lettuce Farm Palace" is a veritable oasis of green in the surrounding concrete of the city. Located on Si Ayutthaya Road, Suan Pakkard was once the residence of Princess Chumbot of Nagara Svarga, a leading Thai art collector.

The palace grounds house five traditional Thai houses from Chiang Mai with displays of Thai art, antiques and furniture, and beautifully maintained tropical gardens with many indigenous plant species. One house accommodates an extensive collection of seashells, minerals and painted pottery from Ban Chiang, a bronze-age settlement in northeastern Thailand. At the back of the compound is the Ayutthayan-period Lacquer Pavilion, which features murals of the Ramayana and scenes from daily life in Ayutthaya.

Suan Pakkard is open daily from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm except Sundays and national holidays. The admission fee is 150 baht.