Wat Kuti Thong วัดกุฎีทอง is an active temple located on the northern side of the old
Lopburi River. It is split into two parts by a road that runs through the center of the monastery.
The monks live in the buildings closest to the river and the ancient ruins are on the opposite side of the road.
Wat Kuti Thong is framed by many ancient walls and an arched entrance gateway. These can still be seen directly next to the road, but they are also visible completely around the monastery’s boundaries. Some of the walls are quite high in places.
The main sermon hall sits on top of a large mound, which may have been the remains of an older building. Two gold painted Buddha images sit in the taming mara poses on the main altar.
The sermon hall is a modern construction in the Ratanakosin style.
On the north side if the hall are two large chedis. They sit on top of a huge mound, so some parts of them may still be concealed underground. Both chedi are bell-shaped, which suggests that ...
Wat Hua Lamphong is a third-class royal Buddhist temple located in Bangkok’s Bang Rak district along Rama IV Road, near the historic Hua Lamphong railway station.
Originally known as Wat Wua Lamphong and dating back roughly two centuries to the early Rattanakosin period, it serves as an active monastery and community spiritual center rather than a major tourist site.
The temple gained its current name during the reign of King Rama V and underwent a major renovation in 1996 to mark the Golden Jubilee of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, incorporating the royal Kanchanapisek seal featuring two elephants flanking a multi-tiered umbrella throughout its structures.
Its distinctive architecture includes elevated ordination and assembly halls reached by wide staircases, colorful murals depicting Buddhist stories and traditional Thai life, intricate mother-of-pearl and gilded lacquer decorations, and shrines dedicated to figures such as King Rama V and Ganesha.
Locally nicknamed the Coffin Temple, Wat Hua ...
The Erawan Museum in Samut Prakan stands as a striking cultural landmark known for its massive three-headed elephant statue. Located just southeast of Bangkok, it makes for an excellent short day trip.
Opened in 2003, the museum was created by Lek Viriyaphant, who also developed the nearby Ancient City and the Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya. It houses his impressive private collection of antiques and religious artifacts.
The standout feature is the enormous three-headed elephant, known as Erawan or Airavata in Hindu-Buddhist mythology. Crafted from copper and bronze, this impressive sculpture weighs around 250 tons and rises high on its pedestal, making it one of the largest hand-crafted elephant statues in the world.
The entire structure symbolizes the three realms of the universe — the underworld, the human world, and heaven. Inside, visitors encounter beautifully ornate spaces filled with stained glass, murals, sculptures, and a rich array of artifacts. The lower levels in the pedestal ...
Wat Pathum Wanaram Rachaworawihan, commonly known as Wat Pathum Wanaram or simply Wat Pathum, stands as a tranquil Buddhist sanctuary nestled in the vibrant commercial heart of Bangkok. Located along Rama I Road in the Pathum Wan district, between the bustling shopping centers of Siam Paragon and CentralWorld and opposite the lively Siam Square, this royal temple offers a striking contrast to the surrounding modern urban landscape, earning it the affectionate nickname of a peaceful oasis amid the concrete jungle.
King Mongkut, or Rama IV, established the temple in 1857 as part of his development of the area around Sa Pathum Palace, his royal retreat. At the time, the site consisted mainly of rice fields along the Khlong Saen Saeb canal, and the king had lotus ponds excavated there, inspiring the name Pathum Wan, which translates to “lotus forest.” The temple was constructed in connection with this royal palace complex and carried associations with Queen Debsirindra, the king’s consort and mother of...
