Exploring Khlong San district on the western bank of the Chao Phraya River offers a refreshing contrast to the more crowded tourist spots across the water, revealing a quieter, more layered side of Bangkok where history lingers in the streets and architecture.
Once a vital trading hub during the Rattanakosin era, this neighborhood retains an intimate, lived-in feel that invites unhurried wandering along its riverfront and narrow sois. The historic section unfolds gently as you move away from the modern developments near Khlong San Pier, where older communities and landmarks tell stories of Chinese settlers, royal connections, and defensive fortifications from centuries past.
The area’s heritage shines through in its charming buildings, many of which blend Chinese, Thai, and colonial influences in understated yet captivating ways. Graceful shophouses with weathered facades and wooden details line some of the quieter lanes, their upper floors often featuring intricate latticework or faded pastel tones ...
Wat Ratchabophit วัดราชบพิธสถิตมหาสีมารามราชวรวิหาร
Wat Ratchabophit or more formally Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simaram Ratcha Wara Maha Wihan is a Buddhist temple located on Atsadang Road, Bangkok, along Khlong Lot, not far from Wat Pho and the Grand Palace in the heart of Bangkok. The temple was built during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V).
The temple features a unique layout, with its wiharn and ubosot joined by a circular courtyard, at the center of which stands a gilded chedi. The golden chedi (43m high) is covered with golden colored tiles. On the top of the chedi is a golden ball.
There is a relic of the Buddha inside and the chedi was built in Sri Lankan style. The ordination hall has 10 door panels and 28 window panels, each decorated with gilded black lacquer on the inside.
The interior of the Ubosot is guilded Italian architecture which came about after King's visit to Europe. The entrance doors are 3m ...
Wat Pa Sawang Bun (วัดป่าสว่างบุญ), also known as the temple of the Chedi 500 Yot (500-spired chedi) or Phra Maha Ratana Loh Chedi Sri Sasana Phothisat Sawang Bun, is a large modern Buddhist temple complex in Saraburi Province.
Founded in 1985 on more than 400 rai of donated land, the temple has grown through widespread public support and merit-making into a major center for Theravada practice, meditation, and devotion.
The temple’s most breathtaking feature is the grand golden chedi complex known as Phra Maha Ratana Loh Chedi Sri Sasana Phothisat Sawang Bun. At its heart stands a large central stupa, surrounded by 500 smaller gilded chedis whose countless golden spires create a dazzling, almost otherworldly landscape that shines brilliantly in the sunlight. This central structure enshrines a vast collection of sacred Buddha relics gathered from multiple countries, making it a powerful focal point for pilgrims seeking blessings and spiritual merit.
Nearby rises ...
Wat Ratchapradit
The full name Wat Ratchapradit Sathit Mahasimaram Ratcha Wora Maha Viharn วัดราชประดิษฐสถิตมหาสีมารามราชวรวิหาร. It is a Buddhist temple in the Phra Nakhon District of Bangkok. Wat Ratchaparadit was designated a first class royal monastery in 1915, making it one of the most significant temples in Thailand.
The temple is located near the Grand Palace, its main entrance is on Saranrom Road. Wat Ratchabopit is located diagonally across the Khlong Khu Mueang Derm (also Khlong Lot) on Rattanakosin Island.
The land on which the temple now stands was formerly designated by King Nangklao (Rama III) as a coffee plantation. However, after his death, his successor King Mongkut (Rama IV) decided to build a temple on the land instead.
According to King Mongkut the three principal temples in the old capital city of Ayutthaya were; Wat Mahathat, Wat Ratchaburana and Wat Rachapradit. Since the establishment of Bangkok as the ...
