Did you know there are over 40,000 temples in Thailand, of which some 37,000 are in current use welcoming devotees and visitors? Bangkok alone has around 400 temples, according to the Office of National Buddhism.
While it is impossible to see them all on holiday, here are some of the most remarkable temples worth visiting for their exceptional architecture and style.
Bangkok
One of the most iconic temples of the capital city and indeed the whole country, Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn sits majestically alongside the Chao Phraya River and is probably the best-known temple with its famous silhouette being a top photo spot for tourists.
Also not-to-be-missed is Wat Pho which is famed for its giant 46 metre long, 15 metre high reclining Buddha that is covered in gold leaf and as being what many consider the leading school of traditional massage in Thailand.
Wat Phra Kaeo, commonly referred to as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is located within the Grand Palace compound and is regarded as Thailand’s most important Buddhist temple. Enshrined within the temple is the Emerald Buddha, a highly revered Buddha image carved from a single block of jade.
Wat Benjamabophit is renowned for the use of Carrara marble imported from Italy in its construction and as being the temple depicted on the 5 Baht coin, while Wat Saket or the Golden Mount temple sits atop a hill in the old city area and as such offers spectacular 360 degree views of Bangkok, which are especially captivating at sunset when the city turns gold and orange.
Northern Thailand
In the North, a most amazing temple is certainly Wat Rong Khun in Chiang Rai. The temple is an ancient structure, which was taken over at the end of the 1990s by local Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat.
Chalermchai spent over one billion Baht to transform the temple of which the entire exterior is a striking white and silver. Murals and…
