The Tallest Buddha in Bangkok, Wat Intharawihan

               There are many interesting places in Bangkok that was shown in the tourist guide but unknown by the local. It’s pretty disappointed that for almost 5 years I have been in Bangkok, but I just had a chance to visit the tallest Buddha statue in Bangkok at Wat Intharawihan. I have never heard about this temple before until my German friend told me and I decided to visit this beautiful temple within that week.

           Wat Intarawihan (Full name) was built in the time of Ayutthaya kingdom, at the time the local called it “Wat Rai Prik” as the temple located in the chilie field of Chinese immigrant, then the name was changed to the “Wat Intraram” referring to the name of a former member of royalty in Ayuthaya kingdom. Ultimately this temple was changed name again to the recent name “Wat Intarawihan”.

Not only the big Buddha that makes this place famous, but this temple as known as one of the place that “Somdet Phra Phutrajarn” one of the most sacred monk of Thailand, stayed and studied Buddhism here.

 

(There’s no entrance fee for this place, you can entry the temple by free and see the stunning big Buddha over your head.)

                 “Phra Sri Ariyametra” or short name “Luang Por To” the name of the standing big Buddha, it was designed in the form of Buddha carrying Bath () with the height 32 meters. On the top of the statue head, contains the sarira of Buddha from Sri Lanka, on the body of statue was decorated by the golden mosaic from Italy.

  (Inside the ubosot, the marvelous painting will distract your eyes to stop and see it.)

How to go:

By Taxi: tell the driver “Pai Wat Intarawihan or Wat Luang Por To” this place is not too far from Khao San Road.

Map :

 

The Golden Mount, Bangkok

Wat Saket (The Golden Mount)

                If you looking for the combo set of temple with good view of Bangkok, Wat Saket or the Golden Mount is a good choice for you. The way to go here is very convenient for all tourists by BTS/Public Bus/ Taxi or even local long tailed boat but today

I decided to travel there by BTS, stopping at National Stadium station walk down to the MBK side and wait the public bus for minutes. The bus no. 15 or 47 will take you to this temple by price 9 Thai Baht per person per way.

This temples was built in the Ayutthaya era, it was called “Wat Sakae” but then was changed to “Wat Saket” by King Rama I of Chakri Dynasty.

Entering to the temple area, before go to the Golden Mount, you better stop at the entrance of Ubosot and go inside. There’re six stunning monastic boundaries or Bhadhaseema located around the Ubosot.

Inside, there’s a golden Buddha surround by the antique wall painting since King Rama 3 of Chakri Dynasty era.

The Golden Mount is waiting you to go up there! You will need to pay the entrance fee for 50 Thai Baht. The chedi was began the construction on the hill during the reign of King Rama IV and completed early in the reign of his son.

On the way to the mount, there’re bell for you to ring! People believe that you ring them for blessed life and ask for good luck.

The picturesque view of Bangkok is showing you on the way up there.

Inside the golden pagoda contains part of the Buddha’s relics.

View of Bangkok.

                  The way to go to Wat Saket or the Golden Mount by yourself is not difficult.

By Bus: Drop off at BTS (National Stadium station) and wait the local bus at the bus stop front of the National Stadium no. 15 or 47 direct to this temple.

By Taxi/Tuk Tuk : Tell them “Pai Phukhao Thong” or “Pai Wat Saket” those two phrases mean that you want to go to this temple.

By Boat: Drop off at BTS (Ratchathewi Station) and take local long tailed boat to Panfah Pier, then look up you will see the Golden mount easily.

I wish you enjoy there as I feel. )

The Marbles Temple (Wat Ben), Bangkok

If you are done with the normal program tour visiting Bangkok like it was prepared to you by travel agency, there’s another beautiful and interesting place I would recommend to you.

Wat Benchamabophit, the local name “Wat Ben” as known as the marble temple. This temple is one of the favorite places for visiting by its wonderful sculpture and importance; they convince people even local Thai or tourist to stop by and enjoy visiting.

This temples was began the construction by the order of King Chulalongkorn in 1899 and was built by the marvelous marble imported from Italy.

After enter to the area of the temple, you need to pay 20 Thai Baht per person for entrance fee.

(Here is the spectacular frontal view of the temple as well as favorite view of photographer.)

              Inside the Ubosot, the golden Buddha is the thing distracting you by its beauty. The golden statue named Phra Buddhajinaraja is the reproduce version of the original one at Phitsanulok. Better for you to sit at the red carpet for a while to rest and look around the wonderful wall painting there, you will be lucky to see Buddhist come to pray and maybe do meditation.

(Enjoy observing any windows as it decorated by the craving of character in Thai literatures as warrior, giant or monkey)

              Get off the ubosot and turn right to the square behind the ubosot, the various Buddha statues are placed around the wall, each gesture of Buddha are named diffirently as “Pang Manvichai” is the sitting Buddha with one leg above the other in the attitude of subduing mara in the style of the U-Thong period (as in the picture).

It’s not difficult to travel here by yourself. If you plan to go here by BTS, you better stop at Phaya Thai station and off to exit no.3 and then you can take taxi / motorbike or public bus to this temple easily.

By local bus: no. 72 and 503

By Taxi/Tuk Tuk/Motorbike: tell them “Pai Wat Ben” means you want to go to Wat Ben.

Other pics :

I hope you all enjoy visiting this temple and take your time exploring the culture. !