Buddhist Temples in Sathorn – Discover the deep religious roots of the Thai people

Less than a fifteen minute drive from Chatrium Residence Sathon Bangkok, you will find Wat Traimit. It is also known as The Temple of the Golden Buddha. It is located in Chinatown, in the vicinity of the Hualampong Railway Station at the very beginning of Yaowarat Road. The temple of Wat Traimit is an imposing structure built on multiple levels and painted a glistening gold and white. The beautifully designed temple houses an immense seated Sukhothai style Buddha statue crafted out of solid gold. It is the largest of its kind in the world and weight five and a half tons. The five metre tall statue is thought to have been made in the 13th or 14th century but was covered in plaster until 1955, when its true appearance was discovered by accident when it fell while being transported. The plaster cover is believed to have been used to hide its true value from invading enemies. Some of the pieces of plaster have been kept for display.

Wat Saket Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan, or simply Wat Saket, is located in the Pom Prap Sattru Phai District. The temple's history can be traced back to the Ayutthaya Era. It was initially known as Wat Sakae but King Rama I gave it the current name after Bangkok was made the capital and the temple was renovated. Several years later, King Rama III commissioned a gigantic chedi that was to stand inside the Wat Saket premises. Unfortunately, it collapsed midway through construction and the rubble heap that it formed over the next few decades became known as Phu Khao Thong or Golden Mountain. During the reigns of King Rama IV and King Rama V a small chedi was built on Golden Mountain to house a relic of the Buddha that was brought from Sri Lanka. The modern version of Wat Saket is made of Carrara marble and was completed in the early 20th century. The temple plays host to a festival, which features a candlelight procession that makes its way up Phu Khao Thong to the chedi once a year.

Wat Mangkon Kamalawat is also known by the names of Wat Leng Noei Yi and Dragon Lotus Temple. It is a Chinese Buddhist temple of great significance in Bangkok. City hotel properties nearby have made it into a popular tourist attraction. It plays host to Chinese New Year and the Chinese Vegetarian Festival each year. The temple was declared a Mahayana Buddhist temple in 1871 but King Rama V subsequently renamed it Wat Mangkon Kamalawat. You will notice the design of the temple displays a Chinese architectural style and is adorned with dragons and lotuses, hence the name Dragon Lotus Temple. A gold Buddha takes centre stage in the ordination hall. There are three pavilions behind the main structure that honour Guan Yim, the Chinese goddess of compassion and mercy; Phra Archan Chin Wang Samathiwat, founder of the temple and Saint Lak Chao.