WAT PHO was originally called Wat Photaram, was built during the Ayutthaya Period. Then, in 1788 King Rama I ordered its complete restoration and renovation.

Also installed more than 1,000 Buddha images that were abandoned from temples in Ayutthaya, Sukhothai and other sites in Thailand.

Wat Pho is the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok with an area of 50 rai. It’s the first university in Thailand and the leading school of massage. After roaming around inside Was Pho, massage is undeniable for tourist. They are professional and have good hands.

The highlight of Wat Pho is “reclining Buddha”. The temple is famous for its enormous gold plated, which was built in 1832 by Rama III. It measures 46 meters long, 15 meters tall. The Buddha’s feet are 5 meters long. You will need to walk inside with bare feet. There are plastic bags in the front of the entrance where you can keep your shoes in and carry inside to get out in the exit way on the other side. Short sleeve, short pants are not allowed. The temple also provides the coat to cover on the shoulder for people who wear a sleeveless shirt.

108 bronze bowl bring luck!

To be blessed for getting good luck, I would recommend you buy the cup of coin for 20 baths and drop in the 108 bronze bowl (monk’s alms bowl). The money will be collected for distribution of the temple.

PHRA MAHA CHEDI SI RAJAKARN

The Great Pagadas of Four Kings is a group of four huge pagodas honoring the first four monarchs of the Chakri Dynasty. The pagodas are surrounded by a white wall with Thai-Chinese style sheltered gated that are decorated on a notched-rim base and is topped by a tall spire furbished with colorful mosaics.

The pagoda with green tiles is the pagoda of the first king. It was built to enclose the ruined image of Phra Sri Sanphet, a 16 meter high standing Buddha image brought from the royal palace in Ayutthaya. The second pagoda with white tiles was built during the reign of Rama III and dedicated to King Rama II. The yellow tiled pagoda was built as a tribute to the Lord Buddha and considered as King Rama III’s own. the pagoda decorated while deep blue tiles were built by King Rama IV.

PHRA BUDDHA THEVA PATIMAKORN

PHRA BUDDHA THEVA PATIMAKORN means “the Buddha built by heavenly beings” is the main Buddha image in Phra Ubosot and it was originally enshrined as the principal Buddha image at Wat Khyhasawan. Then it was brought to be residing in the newly built Phra Ubosot by King Rama I. A new base was built during the reign of King Rama III. The Buddha in the image is depicted in the posture called Phra Pang Samadhi, which is the posture of concentration.

PHRA BUDDHA LOKANAT

PHRA BUDDHA LOKANAT was an important Buddha image enshrined within Wat Phra Sri Sanphet in the Grand Palace of Ayutthaya. King Rama, I had brought it to Wat Pho. The king had repaired some damaged part. The image depicts the Buddha in standing position, with his right arm dropped to the side of his body and his left hand raised to the breast level and projected forward. This is referred to as the attitude (Forbidding the Sandalwood image).

PHRA BUDDHA PILLAI king Rama I had the image cast from scratch. He also cast the figurines of an elephant respectfully offering a water jug and a monkey with a honeycomb over its head. The two animals had deep faith in the Buddha and served him faithfully.

CHINESE STONE DOLLS

CHINESE STONE DOLLSThe temple’s Gate Guardians. It was originally used for the grave of the emperor in the figure of warrior or warlord. Chinese stone dolls were brought to Thailand by King Rama III. When he had sent the ship to China for commercial purpose, and ordered to take the Chinese stone dolls back to Thailand. Since he admired Chinese art.

PHRA BUDDHA MARAVICHAI

PHRA BUDDHA MARAVICHAI is an image Buddha attaining enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, was originally enshrined at Wat Khao – in, located in Sawankhalok district. Then, King Rama I, ordered it to be moved to Wat Pho, where it was restored with an alloy of gold, silver, and copper. This image represents the time in the life story of Lord Buddha when he as about to attain enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. The King of Evil tried to distract him and took his life. The Buddha then recalled the ten great merits and called upon the Goddess of the Earth and wrung the water of merit from her hair, causing a big flood that swept away the demons.

Thai Traditional Massage

Wat Pho well-known place for massage as it’s leading massage school in Thailand. It’s really worth to try once you are here. Sometimes, need to wait on queue for an hour since there are many people want to do massage here.

The entrance fee is 100 bath for foreigner but Thai is free, open hourly from 08.00-17.00.