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Wat Arun

Wat Arun - Temple of the Dawn

The Wat Arun is a popular landmark on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. It is located diagonally opposite to the Grand Palace.

The temple can be reached either by the Arun Amarin Road or by boat from Tha Tien Pier near Wat Pho. Take the Chao Phraya River Express to the Tha Thien pier, then transfer to the cross-river ferry. You can get a ferry at intervals of 5-10 minutes. Crossing the Chao Phraya river by ferry is a pleasant ride. You can also take an ordinary Bus to reach Tha Tien Pier. Buses 1, 25, 44, 47, 62 and 91 stop on Maharat road, which is nearby. If you take a canal tour by a long-tailed boat, a stop at Wat Arun is usually included.

The Wat Arun was originally known as Wat Makok (Olive Temple). It is a Khmer-style Buddhist temple and was built in the Ayutthaya Era.

In the subsequent Thonburi Era, King Taksin changed the name to Wat Chaeng. During King Taksin's reign, just before the founding of Bangkok, the temple served as part of his palace.

The temple briefly hosted the revered Emerald Buddha after it was recaptured from Laos, but it was moved to Wat Phra Kaew in 1784.

King Rama II, in the early 19th century, enlarged the Central Pagoda (Phra Prang) and changed the temple's name to Wat Arunratchatharam. The temple is known for this porcelain encrusted 80 metre high central pagoda which sparkles in the sun. The pagoda symbolizes the legendary Mount Meru - center of the universe. You can even climb up the pagoda to reach the first level terrace and enjoy the view of Bangkok from the heights.

The work of King Rama II was finished by King Rama III, and King Rama IV gave the temple its current full name of Wat Arunratchawararam.

The central prang is not only unique in its design, which is a blend of Khmer and Thai styles, but also in decoration. Over the brick core, a layer of plaster was applied and then decorated with bits of Chinese porcelain and glazed ceramic tiles. Using porcelain from China isn't as extravagant as it might sound. In the early days of Bangkok, Chinese trading ships calling on the Siamese capital used tons of porcelain as ballast. The temple is just an early example of the Thai approach to recycling.

Around the central prang are four smaller prangs symbolizing the four winds. High up on the four smaller towers, you can see a statue of Phra Phai - God of the winds, on his horse.

In the middle of each side of the square formed by the smaller prangs are pavilions containing Buddha images depicting the four stages of the Buddha's life, birth, meditation, preaching and enlightenment. These guard the stairways to the second and third levels of the big prang. There are several other smaller prangs and a beautiful garden in the temple campus. You can also see numerous sculptures of ancient Chinese soldiers and animals.

Unlike its name Aruna - the Hindu god of the Dawn, Wat Arun is at its best at sunset (around 6-7 pm). There are several restaurants and coffee shops across the river bank where you can sit, relax and enjoy the temple view. Souvenirs can be bought from a host of souvenir stalls lined up at the temple exit.

Wat Arun is open daily from 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM.

Other tourist spots that are fairly easy to reach from Wat Arun are Wat Pho, Wat Phra Kaeo, the National Museum, Chinatown the Ko Rattanakosin area, and the Banglamphu district.