Temples in Thailand

Temples & Religious Sites

Thailand’s religious landscape spans centuries of architectural evolution, from the 14th-century ruins of Ayutthaya’s Wat Phra Si Sanphet to contemporary masterpieces like Chiang Rai’s White Temple. This selection features Bangkok’s premier royal shrines, including the marble-clad Wat Benchamabophit and the porcelain-encrusted Wat Arun. Key highlights include the massive reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, the Lanna-style gold chedi of Chiang Mai’s Doi Suthep, and the intricate wooden carvings of Pattaya’s Sanctuary of Truth. These sites represent diverse influences, including Khmer, Chinese, and European neoclassical styles.

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Wat Mongkol Nimit

Historic third-class royal monastery dating back to 1880, known for its Sino-Portuguese architecture and a collection of 11 pagodas. The grounds house a 700-year-old golden Buddha statue and serve as an active school for monks.

McKay Savage / CC BY 2.0

Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan

This Buddhist temple is also called the Loha Prasat, which means metal castle or metal monastery.

Chusak50 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Wat Benchamabophit

Royal Buddhist monastery and first-class royal temple constructed from Italian white Carrara marble. The complex features a blend of traditional Thai aesthetics with European architectural influences and serves as a significant historical site.

Marlinjuice / CC BY-SA 3.0

Sanctuary of Truth

The Sanctuary of Truth is an unfinished museum in Pattaya, Thailand designed by Thai businessman Lek Viriyaphan.

ผู้สร้างสรรค์ผลงาน/ส่งข้อมูลเก็บในคลังข้… / CC BY 3.0

Wat Maha That Yuwarat Rangsarit Ratchaworamahawihan

One of the ten royal temples of the highest class was originally built to house the relics of Buddha.

เกริกชัย อินทร์ปอ / CC BY-SA 3.0

Wat Chaiwatthanaram

Built in 1630 in Khmer style to commemorate King Thong’s mother, the ancient stupa is one of the most notable attractions in Thailand.

Wat Phra Kaew

A royal Buddhist temple complex known for housing the revered Emerald Buddha statue and featuring intricate Ayutthaya Kingdom architecture.

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Wat Chalong

The most important of the 29 buddhist temples of Phuket is Wat Chalong or formally Wat Chaiyathararam, located in the Chalong Subdistrict,…

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Wat Arun Ratchawararam

Buddhist temple known for its distinctive central prang decorated with colorful porcelain and mythological figures, situated on a riverside. It is a significant cultural and architectural landmark reflecting Thai, Hindu, Chinese, and Khmer influences.

Wat Pho

Historic Buddhist temple complex known for its giant reclining Buddha statue and traditional Thai massage school.

kallerna / CC BY-SA 3.0

Tiger Cave Temple

The Tiger Cave Temple is a Buddhist temple north-northeast of Krabi, Thailand.

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Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep

Sacred Theravada Buddhist temple and royal monastery of the second class featuring a gold-plated chedi that enshrines a relic of the Buddha's shoulder bone. Originally founded between 1383 and 1384, this significant pilgrimage site is known for its Lanna-style architecture and panoramic views.