Exploring Wat Benchamabophit
Wat Benchamabophit, also known as the Marble Temple, is one of the more famous and beautiful temples in Bangkok. Indeed it was then last of the major temples built in Bangkok. It is noted for its seemless fusion of European elements into an Eastern temple architectural design. Commissioned by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), it was designed by his brother Prince Naris and Italian architect Hercules Manfredi and stands on the site of an earlier Ayutthaya-style temple. The name Marble Temple came about because it was finished with Italian Carrara marble.
Wat Benchamabophit is laid out to a cruciform plan topped by traditional Thai cascading roof. The bot, or assembly hall, is elegant and contains beautiful Victorian-style stained glass depicting scenes from Thai mythology. In the chapel containing the ashes of King Rama V is a copy of the highly reverred Phra Buddha Chinarat statue of Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat in Phitanulok. In the cloister are Buddha images, totalling some 53, originals as well as copies, from Thailand and other Buddhist countries collected by King Rama V.
Within Wat Benchamabophit are three sets of fabulous doors which were salvaged from Wat Borom Buddharam of Ayutthaya. There is also a building where King Rama V lived as a monk.
Getting there
Wat Benchamabophit is located at the junction of Si Ayutthaya Road and Rama V Road. It is best to go there by taxi. Buses that pass by there are nos. 3, 16, 23 and 505
Opening Hours
8:30 am - 5:30 pm daily
Nearby Sights
Within Dusit Palace
Dusit Palace
Vimanmek Mansion
Dusit Zoo (Khao Din)
Dusit Park
Chitrlada Palace
Wat Indrawihan
Thewet Flower Market
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Wat Benchamabophit, the Marble Temple (27 October 2006) © Timothy Tye
Location Map of Dusit in Bangkok



Wat Benchamabophit (27 October 2006) © Timothy Tye

Wat Benchamabophit (27 October 2006) © Timothy Tye

Wat Benchamabophit (27 October 2006) © Timothy Tye

Stained glass of Wat Benchamabophit (27 October 2006) © Timothy Tye

Door at Wat Benchamabophit (27 October 2006) © Timothy Tye

Cloister of Wat Benchamabophit (27 October 2006) © Timothy Tye

Wat Benchamabophit front facade (27 October 2006) © Timothy Tye

Buddha images in the cloister of Wat Benchamabophit (27 October 2006) © Timothy Tye

Bridge at Wat Benchamabophit (27 October 2006) © Timothy Tye

Canal at Wat Benchamabophit (27 October 2006) © Timothy Tye

Bell tower at Wat Benchamabophit (27 October 2006) © Timothy Tye
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