Jul 01

The Golden Buddha

By Richard Barrow Email

Sunday 1st July, 2007 | 303 words | Category: Bangkok | 2 feedbacks »

Golden Buddha

One of the temples that should be in your Top 10 Temples in Bangkok is Wat Traimit (full name is Wat Traimitwitthayaram Worawihan). The temple is on the outskirts of Chinatown and was was built about 150 years ago. The temple itself would most certainly not be on the tourist circuit if it wasn’t for an accident that revealed a solid gold Buddha image. About 50 years ago, workmen at the temple were moving this Buddha image by crane to a new location when it accidently fell. The outer layer of the Buddha image cracked revealing a Golden Buddha within.

Golden Buddha

In the picture above, you can see the original Buddha image and the parts of the outer layering. Underneath was a solid gold Buddha image weighing five tonnes! It is speculated that this Buddha image was disguised as a stone Buddha in order to save it from the Burmese who ransacked temples and plundered the gold during various wars. The Golden Buddha isn’t in the main temple building as you arrive. It is in a smaller building towards the back and on the left. Go up some steps to the room. Entry to the temple is 20 baht for foreigners and free for Thais. Donations are welcome as they are raising funds at the moment to build a bigger and better building for the Golden Buddha.

Golden Buddha

You can reach Wat Traimit by going to Hua Lamphong Station on the MRT underground train. From here it is about a ten minute walk. Go out of the station and turn right on to the main road. Go over a small bridge and take the first road on the left for cars. The temple is a short way down this road on the right.

Visit our ThailandPhotoMap.com website to see this location on Google Earth.

Do you have any questions about Thailand? Maybe you are planning a holiday or just want to learn more about Thai culture. Have all of your questions answered for free at ThailandQA.com. These forums are part of the family friendly Paknam Web Network.

« How to Escape from a Thai PrisonDigital Maps of Thailand »
Comment from: Khun Don Email
I remember being taken to see this Buddha in the 1980's. I was told it is the world's largest solid gold Buddha. If I remember rightly, the district has several Chinese gold shops-whether these were there before the discovery that the Buddha was solid gold or have been established since to catch passing tourist trade I do not know.
2007-07-02 @ 13:31
Comment from: Kitjar Sukjaidee Email
I was at Wat Traimit a couple years ago, D However, the Viharn that house the Golden Buddha statue is really very small. Expected something much larger...
2007-07-02 @ 21:08

Leave a comment


Your email address will not be revealed on this site.

Your URL will be displayed.
PoorExcellent
(Line breaks become <br />)
(Name, email & website)
(Allow users to contact you through a message form (your email will not be revealed.)
« How to Escape from a Thai PrisonDigital Maps of Thailand »