Thailand Temple Guide

Thailand’s Most Important Temples

Thailand has over 40,000 Buddhist temples (wat). Most visitors see only the most famous. This guide covers the essential sites and how to visit them properly.

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Bangkok Temples

Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) & Grand Palace

Thailand’s most sacred site. The Emerald Buddha — a 45cm jade statue of the Buddha — is housed in an extraordinarily ornate bot. The King of Thailand changes the Buddha’s seasonal robes three times yearly.

The surrounding Grand Palace complex is a masterpiece of Thai architecture. ฿500 entry. Strict dress code: cover shoulders and knees completely. Sarongs available at entrance.

Wat Pho

Adjacent to the Grand Palace. Houses the enormous Reclining Buddha (46m long, gold-covered). The birthplace of traditional Thai massage — the massage school here is still operating. ฿200.

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)

The most dramatic temple silhouette in Bangkok — five spires encrusted with porcelain and seashells. Cross-river ferry from Tha Tien pier (฿5). ฿100 to enter and climb.

Wat Suthat and the Giant Swing

Less visited than the above three. The giant ceremonial swing (Sao Ching Cha) outside is Bangkok’s most photographed street structure. Extraordinary mural paintings inside.

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Chiang Mai Temples

Doi Suthep

Chiang Mai’s most sacred temple on a mountain overlooking the city. 309 naga steps or funicular. Sunset views extraordinary. ฿30.

Wat Chedi Luang

14th-century chedi in the Old City. Partially ruined, deeply atmospheric. City Pillar (Sao Inthakin) inside the complex. ฿40.

Wat Phra Singh

Finest Lanna-style architecture in Chiang Mai. The Phra Buddha Sihing image is one of Thailand’s most venerated. ฿20.

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Beyond Bangkok and Chiang Mai

White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), Chiang Rai

Artist Chalermchai Kositpipat’s contemporary masterpiece. White with mirrored glass — blindingly bright in sunlight. Scenes from pop culture on the interior (Batman, Neo from The Matrix, Angry Birds). Very unusual, very popular. Free.

Ayutthaya

Former capital of Thailand. The ancient temple ruins (prang towers, Buddha statues, moats) spread across a large area. Best done as a day trip from Bangkok (1.5 hours) or overnight.

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Temple Etiquette

Cover up: Shoulders and knees must be covered at all major temples. Thailand enforces this — you will be turned away without appropriate clothing. Carry a light wrap in your bag.

Shoes off: Remove shoes before entering any temple building (not always required for outdoor grounds).

Buddha images: Do not pose disrespectfully near Buddha images. Pointing feet toward sacred images is considered very rude.

Monks: Women must not touch monks or hand objects directly to them.

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