Temples in Bangkok
9.The National Gallery
Located across from the National Museum on Chao Fa Road, this building was once the old Royal Mint and was converted into the National Gallery in 1974. It displays permanent traditional paintings and contemporary paintings by leading Thai artists. There are regular temporary exhibitions. The admission fee is 30 baht and a package ticket is 80 baht. It opens on Wednesday to Sunday from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Tel. 0 2281 2224, 0 2282 2639 Ext. 14, 17 Website: www.thailandmuseum.com
10.The Queen Sirikit Arts Exhibition Centre
The gallery, located on Phan Fa intersection, was established in response to the gracious wish of H.M. the Queen to provide a permanent place for the exhibition of a wide range of visual arts - a public gallery deemed an important means for the promotion of Thai culture and Thai artists as well as younger talents with exceptional skill and obvious potential. Gallery hours are from 10.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. daily (except Wednesday). Admission is 20 baht. Tel. 0 2281 5360 Website: www.queengallery.com.
11.Silpakorn University
Beside Sanam Luang is Silpakorn University, the first university of art in Thailand. All kinds of art have been passed down from generation to generation, keeping Thailand abreast of changes in modern art.
Professor Silpha Bhirasri (1892 - 1962), an Italian artist serving the Royal Government, committed himself wholeheartedly to developing art education in Thailand. He was the founder of this university. The University has 4 galleries which display many kinds of traditional and contemporary arts such as paintings, sculptures, graphic designs, and architecture. These works are by students and faculty members. In addition, leading Thai and foriegn artists also have exhibitions here.
Art Galleries
- The Art Gallery of the Faculty of Painting Sculpture and Graphic Design Gallery hours 9.00 a.m. - 4.30 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday. Tel. 0 2225 8991, 0 2221 0820 Website: www.bhirasrigallery.com
- The Gallery of Silpakorn University Gallery hours 9.00 a.m. - 7.00 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Tel. 0 2221 3841 Website: www.art-centre.su.ac.th
- The Gallery of Art and Design, Faculty of Decorative Art Gallery hours 10.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m. from Monday to Saturday. Tel. 0 2224 5874
- Phra Phrombhichitr Gallery (Architecture) Gallery hours 10.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m. from Monday to Saturday.
12.Wat Arun
This famous Bangkok landmark is on the Thon Buri side of the Chao Phraya River, directly opposite the Grand Palace complex and easily accessible by boat from the Bangkok side. The temple dates back to the Ayutthaya period. The temple was enlarged by King Rama II and King Rama III. Renovations were completed in the reign of King Rama IV. The Emerald Buddha was enshrined in this temple for a brief period before King Rama I built the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo on the Bangkok side.
The landmark of this temple is a 79-metre-tall massive central pagoda, “Phra Prang”, and four smaller ones at each corner. The ornamentation of the central pagoda consists of encrusted pieces of porcelain which sparkle in the sun. Despite its name, the best photographic opportunities are in the late afternoon with the sun setting in the red sky behind the temple.
To visit the temple, shuttle boats from the Tha Tian Pier at the south-west side of the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo area are provided regularly. The Chao Phraya Express Boat stops at the Tha Tian Pier and there are several Thon Buri canal tours, which include the temple. Enter the temple from 7.00 a.m. to Wat Arun 5.20 p.m. for 20 baht. Website: www.watarun.org
13.Wat Trimit
Located at the end of Chinatown’s Yaowarat Road, this temple houses the extraordinary 700-year-old golden Buddha image, a seated figure composed entirely of five and a half tons of gold. Previously, it had been covered with plaster and once broken off, the true treasure beneath was suddenly revealed - the figure was found to be composed entirely of gold. It is now an important and sacred Buddha image of unique beauty. The temple is open daily from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. with an admission fee of
20 baht. Website: www.wattrimit.com
14.Wat Benchamabophit
Situated on Si Ayutthaya Road, near the intersection with Rama V Road, this unique marble temple was constructed during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (1868 - 1910 A.D.). Its proportions are classically beautiful, with European influences evident in its stained glass windows and the use of Carrara marble. The temple houses a superb cloister collection of bronze Buddha images and many reckon the temple to be one of the finest in the world as far as its craftsmanship and architectural
splendour are concerned. It attracts large numbers of visitors every year. Admission is 20 baht. The temple is open daily from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
15.Wat Suthat
Located on Bamrung Mueang Road, the temple is renowned for its superb murals and elaborate woodcarving door panels created during the reign of King Rama II. The preaching hall contains a collection of gilded Buddha images. The temple was constructed in the early 19th century and there are four smaller chapels constructed on each of its corners.
The main Buddha image, Phra Si Sakayamuni was orginally cast in the Sukhothai period (1238-1438 A.D.) Eight-metres tall, on a six-metre pedestal, the image is the largest bronze-cast one in the kingdom and considered one of the most beautiful Buddha images in Thailand. The cloisters within the complex are pleasantly quiet and contain many Buddha images. With an admission fee of 20 baht, the temple is open daily from 9.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. Website: www.watsuthat.org
16.The Giant Swing
This unusual 200-year-old red swing outside Wat Suthat was once used in Brahmanic ceremonies to honour the highest God Shiva. Furthermore, it was used competitively in a contest designed to seek the brave man who could swing the highest to seize a money bag from a 25-metre-high pole. But the contest was outlawed many years ago, when accidents and deaths
became too common. www.watsuthat.org.
