Wat Suthat in Bangkok, breathtaking beauty
Wat suthat
I often hear that all temples in Thailand are the same, but Wat Suthat Thepphawararam or simply Wat Suthat in Bangkok proves again that this is complete nonsense.
I am always happy when I make new discoveries. The Wat Suthat is of breathtaking architectural beauty. I didn't know it existed.
Outside is the immense swing, dismantled for safety, where many a monk died. The temple itself consists of two main buildings. First a square whole with gigantic murals on the front and back. Around this temple is a gallery full of Buddha statues.
The second building is rectangular and has paintings on all walls. The first building is in dire need of restoration, the second looks perfect. Usually people limit their temple visit in Bangkok to Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho, but I find this temple more impressive.
Inside the Wat Suthat
I am glad that I was able to add this temple to my temple treasury, despite fierce protests of heart and legs.
The temple is located at Sao Chingcha Square (at the intersection of Bamrung Muang Road and Ti Thong Road). Rama I started construction in 1807, but it was not completed until 1847 during the reign of Rama III. In 2005, the temple was submitted to UNESCO for consideration as an addition to the World Heritage List.
Yes a temple worth visiting. But there are many…
At the time of my visit you had to pay a small entrance fee as a tourist.
The location is: 13° 45′ 5.10″ N 100° 30′ 3.81″ E
A beautiful temple indeed. The area is also interesting. Go out of the temple complex and turn right on the square. You will enter a street where they all sell Buddha stuff. Also sometimes see how it is made at the end to the left. Just walk straight ahead and you have to pay attention to a complex on the left where they sell everything and make amulets statues and you can negotiate the price. We have already bought many beautiful things there. Really recommended few or no tourists.
Beautiful temple indeed. I mainly went there for the murals but they are hard to see and judge. I asked a monk to help me, but he didn't know anything about it either.
The ashes of King Bhumibol's elder brother Ananda Mahidol, who died in 8, lie under the 1946-meter-high bronze Buddha statue. That Buddha image is 800 years old and comes from Sukhotai. Reminds me of the most famous Buddha image in Thailand, the 'Emerald Buddha' at Wat Phra Kaew. That statue was stolen by the Thai forces in 1823 from Vientiane, now in Laos.