 Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), Bangkok
The Temple of the Reclining Buddha which is Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwara Mahaviharn, often shortened as Wat Chetuphon but more popularly known simply as Wat Pho, is the oldest and largest Buddhist temple in Bangkok. It covers an area of 50 rai, equivalent to some 80,000 square meters or twenty acres, immediately to the south of the Grand Palace. More than just a temple, it is the renowned birthplace of Thai message, and it continues to play a role as a center of education for traditional Thai medicine.
Reclining Buddha of Wat Pho (28 October 2006)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
The history of Wat Pho predates that of Bangkok itself. Going back to the 16th century, there was already a Buddhist shrine here by the name of Wat Photaram. It is the short form of "Photaram" that the temple continues to be known in English as Wat Pho. King Rama I changed the name to Wat Chetuphon in 1801, and that's the name it is known in Thai.
The most popular part of Wat Pho is the Vihara of the Reclining Buddha, or Phra Buddhasaiyas. This is where the Great Reclining Buddha is located.
Phra Mondop, or Scripture Library (30 December 2002)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Within the ubosot (or bot, monks' ordination hall) of Wat Pho is a bronze Buddha image. It is called the Phra Tang Pha Thip, and is a Buddha in a meditative pose. It was in the Ayutthaya style, and was salvaged from Ayutthaya by King Rama I's brother. It is one of the many Buddha statues which the Thais managed to retrieved from Ayutthaya after it was destroyed by the Burmese.
Within the western courtyard of Wat Pho are a jungle of chedi, or Buddhist spires, of which there are four big ones, called the Phra Maha Chedi, stand out over the rest. They are each 41 meters tall, and arranged three in a row with one at the central back. That one at the central back is the most important. It contains the sacred Buddha image from Ayutthaya, the Phra Si Sanphet - which I believe, comes from Wat Si Sanphet in the former Royal Palace of Ayutthaya. The chedi to the north was built by King Rama III to enshrine the ashes of King Rama II. He also built the chedi to the south to shrine his own remains. The bright, blue-tile chedi was built by King Rama IV, although I am not sure of the purpose.
Three of the four Phra Maha Chedi (28 October 2006)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Getting there
As there are no Skytrains to Rattanakosin, the easiest way to reach Wat Pho is by taxi. I would stay away from tuk tuks as they cost as much as taxis, their seats block out views, and you have to eat dust all the way. Also, some tuk tuks do take their passengers for a ride, if you know what I mean, and you end up at a jewelry store offering a sales pitch. If you prefer a non-taxi approach, then I'd recommend taking the BTS Skytrain to Saphan Taksin Station (S6). From there, catch an express boat at the Central Pier (Sathorn) to the Tha Tien Pier (N8) pier. From the pier, walk out to Thanon Maharat Road (also written Thanon Maharaj), turn right, walk down Thanon Maharat until the junction of Soi Chetuphon, turn left into Soi Chetuphon. The visitor entrance to Wat Pho along Soi Chetuphon, somewhere half-way down the lane. On the opposite side of the road is Wat Pho's administrative office and monastery for the monks.
As you enter Wat Pho, the ticket booth is to your left.
Location: Soi Chetuphon
Boat: Tha Tien Pier (N8)
Opening hours: 8:00am-5:00pm daily
Entrance fees: 50 baht per person
Official Website: http://www.watpho.com
Stone plaques on massage points, at Medicine Pavilion, Wat Pho (28 October 2006)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Standing Buddhas, cloister of Wat Pho (28 October 2006)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Farang Guards - entrance guards in Western attire (28 October 2006)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Chinese Pavilion, Wat Pho (28 October 2006)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Tim and Chooi Yoke at Wat Pho (30 December 2002)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Location Map of Temple of the Reclining Buddha in Bangkok
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Places in Wat Pho
Since Wat Pho is such a huge complex, I have created additional pages to deal with specific parts of it. Please click to enter each link below for more indepth details.
- Phra Buddhasaiyas
Also called the Vihara of the Reclining Buddha, this is the building that houses the famous Reclining Buddha.
- Phra Uposatha
The main chapel of Wat Pho
- Phra Maha Chedi
The Four Great Stupas of Wat Pho.
- Phra Mondop The scripture hall of Wat Pho
- Khao Mor
The rock gardens of Wat Pho.
- Phra Rabieng
The cloister of Wat Pho.
- Sala Kanparien
The teaching hall of Wat Pho.
- Sala Rai
These are pavilions around Wat Pho.
- Belfry of Wat Pho
Bell tower of the temple.
- Ballasts of Wat Pho
Chinese-style statues that was once used as ballast.
- Chinese Pavilion
Chinese-style pavilion within the grounds of Wat Pho
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