Photo: Contiki
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When visiting Thailand, it’s pretty impossible not to stop by at least one temple. Not only are they gorgeous, they hold vast cultural and religious history, so visiting a Buddhist temple in Thailand is one of the best ways to get to know the country and the people. Not only are temples in Thailand some of the most beautiful destinations in the country, but they are also so interesting and unlike anything else you may have seen before.
Whether you’re planning a trip to Thailand or simply curious, here’s a guide to everything you need to know about temples in Thailand, and a list of the must-see ones.
Why are temples important in Thailand?
If you’re from the Western world, you should view temples as the same as churches – they’re important religious sites. In Thailand, the main religion is Buddhism, and the many gilded temples which mark the landscape serve as places of worship, but also education and community gathering. While not everyone in Thailand is religious or practises Buddhism, many people visit temples in their day-to-day as they are areas of peace and signify ‘togetherness’.
Furthermore, many Thai festivals are held within or around temples, so they represent immense cultural importance as well. When visiting temples in Thailand, you can pray, seek spiritual advice for the monks residing within, or simply walk around and admire the beauty.
What are the temples in Thailand called?
Much like temples in Japan, temples in Thailand have a specific name – or rather, a prefix. You’ll often find the name of a temple preceded by ‘wat’, which is just the Thai word for a Buddhist temple. The designation is given to both active temples and closed/private ones as well.
Which temple is famous in Thailand?
There are many famous temples in Thailand, but perhaps the one you’ll have heard of most or seen the most pictures of during your social media scrolls is Wat Phra Kaew. This is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and houses just that: a massive emerald and gold Buddha statue in the heart of the Grand Palace complex in Bangkok.
Image source:Sung Shin / unsplash
What can you wear to temples in Thailand?
Just like visiting any religious site across the world, you should wear simple and modest clothing. Thailand temple dress code requires that shoulders and knees be covered, so we suggest packing some loose trousers and skirts that you can wear on hot days for your temple visits, and a light shawl or cardigan to cover your shoulders if needed.
When entering temple buildings, certain sites may require you to take your shoes off as well, so make sure you are wearing nice clean socks (holes will be frowned upon, guys…).
Avoiding any revealing clothing is best as well, so make sure your tops and pants aren’t too tight – besides, the weather will most likely be hot and sticky, so we’re not sure you want to opt for that anyway. If you’re wearing a hat or sunglasses, you should remove those as well as a sign of respect.
In terms of tattoos, it’s best to keep them covered where possible. Though tattoos are not uncommon in Thailand, so the rules are becoming slightly more lax on this. We recommend having something to cover up just in case, and you can suss it out once on site.
Can you wear black to temples in Thailand?
Yes! You can wear black to temples in Thailand. It’s considered a neutral and respectful colour, so as long as the outfit is modest, you’re all good to go.
Can you wear jeans to temples in Thailand?
Yes, jeans are totally okay to wear in temples in Thailand as long as they aren’t torn and they cover your knees.
Image source:Contiki
Best temples in Thailand to visit
Did you know there are over 35,000 temples in Thailand? Huge number, so it’s a little hard to narrow down the best – and yet, here we are trying. These are some of the most beautiful and culturally important temples in Thailand you must visit on your next trip.
1. Wat Phra Kaew
We’ve touched on this one briefly above, but Wat Phra Kaew is widely considered the most sacred temple in Thailand, so it must be visited. If you can only visit one of the many temples in Bangkok, make this the one. The temple has been around since 1784 and the grounds are absolutely spectacular: golden chedi (also known as pagodas) line the way towards the main building where the emerald Buddha sits – carved from a single piece of emerald, mind you! – with intricate and awe inspiring decorations all around. Wat Phra Kaew sits within the Grand Palace and Bangkok and feels every bit as regal as it was destined to be.
2. Wat Pho
This is another of the most visited temples in Bangkok. Wat Pho is renowned for its jaw-dropping architecture and is located directly south of the Grand Palace, making it easy for you to see these two heavy-hitters in one day. This is one of the capital’s oldest temples and houses the famous reclining Buddah, a statue that is 46 metres long and covered in gold leaf!
On top of being a centre of religion and spirituality, Wat Pho is also Thailand’s first university grounds and is a hub for traditional Thai medicine and massage.
Image source:Nino Steffen / unsplash
3. Wat Arun
Also known as Wat Arun Ratchawararam or the Temple of Dawn, this temple is one of Bangkok’s most recognisable landmarks because of the imposing and ornate 82 metre tall prang (spire) which sits in the centre and is reflected on the calm surfaces of the Chao Phraya river which surrounds the temple. All temples in Thailand are fairly quiet and idyllic, but Wat Arun really takes the cake because of its unique and magical location.
The temple is named after the Buddhist deity Aruna who is personified as sun rays. This characterisation is represented through the five prangs that shine like golden beacons in the night. An immensely popular site, this is the perfect place to purchase handcrafted Thai souvenirs if you wish.
4. Wat Benchamabophit
This temple is entirely unique in that it blends both Thai and European architectural styles, and it was made of Carrara marble exported from Italy – this marble was used by the Romans way back when! As such, this temple is known as the Marble Temple and is a blinding and beautiful thing. With swooping vermillion tiled roofs, sprawling grounds and arched red bridges over running canals, and gold accents everywhere, this temple is one of the best places to visit in Thailand if you want to understand how pretty the country is.
5. Wat Suthat
This is one of ten first-class royal temples in Thailand; Wat Suthat was built during the reign of King Rama I in 1807 and was used as his palatial abode. This temple is of course grand, but what sets it apart from the others is the enormous swing that sits at the front, supported by an elegant red gate-like structure. You will find a massive golden Buddha within, as well as rows of smaller gold Buddhas, perhaps standing guard.
6. Wat Muang
Heading outside of Bangkok, Wat Muang is an awe-striking temple. Why? Because the 92-metre high statue of a golden sitting Buddha can be spotted from miles away, poking out from the surrounding greenery. Impressive isn’t big enough to describe the feeling of visiting Wat Muang, you’ll just have to see it yourself!
This temple took 18 years to build and it sits in Ang Thong, a city once revered for its influence over art, religion, and sculpture.
7. Sanctuary of Truth
The Sanctuary of Truth is a unique temple in Thailand for many reasons: it blends both Buddhist and Hindu iconography, and is also made entirely of carved wood! The site is actually unfinished. It was started in 1981, and what is even more stunning is that the wood is not assembled with nails, but rather made with traditional Thai carpentry techniques. It’s located in Pattaya, right on the coast, and with the ocean as a backdrop the temple looks straight out of a fantasy world or video game.
8. Wat Rong Khun
Located in the Chiang Rai region of Thailand, Wat Rong Khun, also known as the White Temple, is simply stunning. The name gives it away, this Buddhist temple is made entirely of white plaster and adorned in thousands of mirror chips which make it twinkle and shine brilliantly. It looks like it’s made of porcelain, and walking through the grounds is like venturing into a world of dreams. The temple was constructed in 1997 making it a very new structure, but its etherealness quickly made it a popular local and tourist attraction.
Chiang Rai is also home to the gorgeous Blue and Red temples, and you can visit the trio on a simple day trip – or with Contiki on our Thailand, Laos and Cambodia Adventure trip!
Image source:Contiki
9. Tiger Cave Temple
Moving to the Thai islands, Tiger Cave Temple is an exceptional destination in Krabi. You’ll need to hike up 1,260 steps to get to the top, but the calf workout is totally worth the view. Just you see. This religious complex is perched on a mountain with lush greenery all around it and offers some tremendous views of the island. Sadly, there are no actual tigers in the temple, but it was given this name after a legend which said a tiger used to roam the area. That and the cave formations that resemble a paw-print formation.
10. Wat Pak Nam
This temple in Thailand is really special, not necessarily for the exterior (though these are of course very impressive), but rather the interiors. This is also a royal temple and is located along the banks of the same river as Wat Arun, but what sets it apart is the mesmerising ceilings inside. The mural is a circle of Buddhas, complemented by psychedelic colours which coalesce into something wondrous. It’s like viewing life through a kaleidoscope or ascending into space.
