Buddhism is intertwined with the culture of Thailand, an important part of daily life. The last official count said there were more than 40,000 Buddhist temples in Thailand, with hundreds of those in Bangkok alone. So of course you’re not going to want (or have time) to see all of them.
With so many temples they have been organized into a ranking system with the special class at the top. The only special class temple is Wat Phra Kaew. This houses the emerald Buddha and is on the grounds of The Grand Palace.
The next level of temples is first class royal temples. There are 24 of them in Thailand with 10 being inside of Bangkok. These are all special temples, many containing relics of the Buddha or other sacred objects.
This video covers all 24 of them so you are able to see the different styles and learn a bit more about each of them. The quest to visit all of these took almost 2 years due to the distances involved. Each temple has something unique about them and all all amazing ...
Wat Kharuehabodi is a peaceful third-class royal Buddhist temple nestled along the western bank of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok’s Bang Phlat district.
Established around 1824 during the reign of King Rama III, the temple was founded when Phraya Ratchamontri Borirak (Phu) donated land that once included an old house linked to the famed poet Sunthorn Phu. The name “Kharuehabodi” evokes the idea of a “millionaire’s temple” or householder’s abode, reflecting its origins.
The temple’s star attraction is its principal Buddha image, Phra Saekkham (also known as Luang Por Saek Kham), a revered Maravijaya-style statue likely dating back to the 12th–13th century in the Chiang Saen artistic tradition. Legends trace its creation to the era of Queen Camadevi, the legendary first ruler of Haripuñjaya (Hariphunchai). Over centuries, the golden image passed through the kingdoms of Lanna, Lan Xang, and Vientiane before eventually reaching Siam. King Rama III later presented it to this temple...
The new Tai Hong Kong White Jade Shrine, also known as the White Jade Tai Hong Gong Shrine, stands as a magnificent addition to Bangkok’s cultural and spiritual landscape in the Sathon district.
Located on Charoen Rat Road adjacent to the Por Teck Tung Foundation’s 80th Birthday Commemorative Garden, this shrine officially opened to the public on May 25, 2026, following a royal opening ceremony presided over by His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen on May 20.
Built to commemorate the King’s 72nd birthday, it serves as a living monument to compassion, cultural heritage, and charitable legacy managed by the Por Teck Tung Foundation, one of Thailand’s oldest Chinese charitable organizations with roots dating back to 1899.
The shrine honors Venerable Tai Hong, also called Luang Pu Tai Hong or Tai Hong Gong, a revered Chinese Buddhist monk from the Song Dynasty known for his extraordinary acts of mercy.
Originally named Leng Ngak from the Lim family, he dedicated his life to collecting...
The Phimai National Museum, situated in Phimai district of Nakhon Ratchasima province in northeastern Thailand, serves as a vital center for understanding the history and archaeology of the lower northeastern region.
Positioned near the iconic Phimai Historical Park and adjacent to an ancient Khmer reservoir, the museum features an extensive collection of artifacts that trace the cultural evolution of the Mun-Chi river basin across provinces including Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum, and Buriram. Its exhibitions cover everything from prehistoric settlements around 3,000 years ago through the rise of Khmer civilization, showcasing sandstone sculptures, architectural elements from ancient sanctuaries, carved lintels, statues of deities, and other relics that highlight social development, belief systems, and artistic influences in the area.
The museum’s origins date back to 1964 when it was initially established to house artifacts from the Phimai site and surrounding areas in lower Isan that ...
