Wat Pho – Bangkok

Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn (Thai: วัดพระเชตุพนวิมลมังคลารามราชวรมหาวิหาร) also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha or as Wat Pho is one of the only six First Class Royal Temples in Thailand and is one of the oldest and largest temples in Bangkok (80’000 m²).

It is broadly known for housing one of the largest Buddha images ever built as well as housing the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand and is considered the first and earliest center for public education in Thailand.

Phra Vihara of the Reclining Buddha

46 meters long and 15 meters high, the Reclining Buddha illustrates the passing of the Buddha into Nirvana and the end of reincarnations. The feet, which are 4,5 meters long and 3 meters high, are ornated by mother-of-pearl inlays displaying 108 lakshana (qualities) of the Buddha.

Phra Maha Chedi Si Rajakarn

It is a group of four pagodas, each 42 meters high, decorated with colorful mosaics. Each one represents the reign of one King:

• Phra Maha Chedi Sri Sanpetdayarn, featuring green tiles, for King Rama I
• Phra Maha Chedi Dilok Dhammakaroknitarn, featuring, white tiles, for King Rama II
• Phra Maha Chedi Muni Batborikharn, featuring yellow tiles, for King Rama III
• The last one, featuring blue tiles, for King Rama IV

Phra Ubosot

It is the main Assembly Hall for performing monastic rituals and was built by King Rama I in Ayuthaya style. It was later enlarged during the reign of King Rama III. The main image of Budha is the Phra Buddha Theva Patimakorn, seated Buddha over a three-tiered pedestal. Some ashes of King Rama I are kept under the pedestal.

Phra Rabieng

These are the double cloisters extending between the four chapels. The inner one contains 150 images of Buddha, while the outer one has over 244 images. They were brought to Wat Pho during the reign of King Rama I from Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, two of the Northern Provinces of Thailand (originally over 1’300 were brought, but only about 400 were selected and kept in Wat Pho). Today all of these images are covered with gold leaves.

Thai Traditional Medical School

Back in the days, there were 2 types of doctors: Royal Doctors and Local ones. During King Rama III reign the old thai medical tradition was in danger of extinction, so the King appointed a new Royal Doctor: Phraya Bamroer Rajaphat. He was designated to engrave all the Thai medical science knowledge around two cloisters: Phra Maha Chedis and Sala Rai.

Furthermore in 1856 King Rama V entrusted his Royal Doctors to translate some medical texts from Pali-Sanskrit into Thai and indexing them as “Medical Handbook – Royal Edition”.

In 1955 it officially became the first Thai Traditional Medical School, approved by the Thai Ministry of Education, offering four basic courses:

• Thai Pharmacy
• Thai Medical Practice
• Thai Midwifery
• Thai Massage

Tips for visitors

Please note that as every other sacred/religious place it is required for visitors to dress accordingly. No skin above the knee can be exposed (long trousers for males, trousers or long skirt for females) nor can the shoulders (no singlets allowed) and in general an appropriate clothing style and behaviour is mandatory.

Before entering any of the religious building you are required to take off your shoes.

It is also prohibited for women to have physical contact with monks.