Tourist attraction in Thailand: ‘Wat Phra Kaew’

Wat Phra Kaew located in Bangkok, commonly known in English as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and officially as Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram, is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. Construction of the temple was under the orders of King Rama I, the first king of the Chakri dynasty. His Majesty the King Rama I ordered the construction of Wat Phra Kaew along with The Grand Palace according to the style of the Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, a temple located in Ayutthaya during the Rattakosin era. Located inside the Grand palace and surrounded on all sides by a wall, the temple would be a distinct space for the royal ordination ceremony and consecration of sacred water ceremony separate from the king’s residential space. As the temple would be built within the palace of the king, no monks would be lodged there. Visitors are allowed to pay respects to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha as the Grand Palace are closed to the public until the Covid-19 pandemic eased. To enter the Temple, visitors are preferred to take the Sanarm Luang’s route through screening point for the prevention of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Upon entry to the Temple, visitors will witness (Yaksha) guarding in pairs the entrances to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaeo), a golden stupa or Phra Siratana Chedi in Thai, Royal Pantheon, and ‘Phra Atsda Maha Chedi’ stupa. On the wall within the Chapel of Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Ramakian mural paintings lie. This Phra Siratana Chedi or golden, bell-shaped stupa on the upper terrace of Wat Phra Kaew is the tallest structure in the Grand Palace complex is said to contain a relic, perhaps a bone or hair, from Gautama Buddha. For further information

Hours: Open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; the ticket office for the Grand Palace closes at 3:30 p.m.

Entrance Fee: Entrance to the Grand Palace (500 baht for foreigners) includes entrance to Wat Phra Kaew.

Dress Code for Visiting Wat Phra Kaew

Proper dress is required to enter the Grand Palace and especially Wat Phra Kaew. Unlike many of the other temples in Thailand, dress code is strictly enforced for visitors. Men are not allowed to wear short pants and slippers. Women are not allowed to put on sleeveless tops, clingy, tight, or see-through clothing. Knees and shoulders must be covered. No stretch/yoga pants as well as slippers are allowed.

Photography is forbidden inside the Chapel.

To travel by private car, a 200-space parking lot is allowed at Navy Club across from the entrance of the Temple. Open daily from 6 am. to 10.00 pm. First 15 minutes (FREE of Charge) First 2 Hours (30 baht) 3 hours (30 Baht) 4 hours or more (100 baht) A 40-space parking lot is also allowed at Wat Mahathat. Open for 24 hours (20 baht an hour). At Tha Maharaj’s 150-space parking lot, it is open daily from 6 am. to 10.00 pm. First 15 minutes (FREE of Charge) With Car Parking Stamp, first 2 Hours (FREE of Charge) After 3 hours (40 Baht each hour) After midnight (100 baht each hour).