Rating: 3.5/5 (4 votes)

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.00 – 17.00

 

Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan (Loha Prasat) If you like Bangkok temples that don’t win you over with sheer “size,” but with “ideas,” Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan on Maha Chai Road is a perfect match. The temple sits around Ratchadamnoen Klang in Phra Nakhon District—an Old Town pocket where a short walk can connect you to the Giant Swing, the Golden Mount, and the Democracy Monument. The charm of this neighborhood is a little unusual: it can feel lively, yet there’s still enough space for the temple’s quiet to do its work.

 

Wat Ratchanatdaram was established in 1846 during the reign of King Rama III, created in honor of Her Royal Highness Princess Somanass Waddhanawadi. From the beginning, the temple carried the clear imprint of a royal project—both in the timeline and in the appointment of high-ranking officials to oversee the design and construction. That is why the layout and key buildings feel composed and orderly, with meaning built into the architecture rather than decoration done purely for ornament.

 

The element everyone remembers is the “Loha Prasat” (Metal Castle). Its concept differs from the familiar stupa style most visitors expect, because King Rama III ordered a “Dhamma Chedi Prasat” in place of a conventional chedi. It is often described as one of the world’s earliest examples of this form, and today it remains the type of Loha Prasat whose structure and character can still be seen clearly—to the point that it has become the temple’s defining symbol.

 

What makes the Loha Prasat compelling is not simply the word “metal,” but the way the building ties itself to Buddhist teachings. The structure is commonly described as standing around 36 meters tall, with 37 surrounding elements connected to the idea of “the 37 factors of enlightenment” (โพธิปักขียธรรม 37 ประการ)—the dhammas that support the path to awakening. So the visit is not only about seeing a rare shape in the city skyline, but about seeing how architecture can be used as a language to communicate an inner path.

 

If you want to enjoy it fully, try switching your mode from “collecting photos” to “reading the craftsmanship.” Step back slightly and watch how the vertical lines and openings guide your eyes upward. Then walk around the base to experience how the view shifts from each side, before gradually moving closer to the details. This kind of architecture rewards slow looking: the slower you go, the more you see the logic of the form—and the more you understand why the Loha Prasat is “thought-provoking architecture” rather than architecture designed only to impress at first glance.

 

Another reason Wat Ratchanatdaram works well as a half-day stop is its easy connection to Old Town walking routes. If you want to continue to the Golden Mount, it’s not far. If you prefer walking to the Giant Swing and Wat Suthat for a more arts-and-heritage vibe, you can do it without breaking your rhythm with a taxi ride. And if you want to end your day with classic local food, the Pratu Phi–Maha Chai area is close enough to continue on foot.

 

As a Buddhist site, the temple also asks for basic respect—modest dress, quieter voices in areas used for worship, no climbing or touching parts that shouldn’t be handled, and giving space to those who are genuinely there for religious practice. The real charm of temples in the capital is not only their beauty, but the fact that they still remain living spaces of faith, every day.

 

Getting There Wat Ratchanatdaram is easy to reach by public bus, with many routes running along Maha Chai Road and the Ratchadamnoen area, such as lines 2, 9, 39, 44, 68, 79, 503, 511, 512, 516, as well as air-conditioned routes Por.Por. 1, 8, and 10. If you plan an “Old Town walking day,” this temple makes an excellent starting point or a natural pause, because landmarks, food, and walkable streets connect smoothly around it.

 

 

A: Generally, yes. Visiting hours are commonly around 08.00 – 17.00 (it’s still a good idea to check the latest notice before you go).

 

A: It is a “Dhamma Chedi Prasat” concept structure linked to Buddhist teachings, and is often described as having 37 surrounding elements connected to the “37 factors of enlightenment” (โพธิปักขียธรรม 37 ประการ), making the visit intellectually engaging—not just visually striking.

 

A: If you want to explore the Loha Prasat with details in mind, plan at least 45 – 90 minutes. If you continue on foot to the Golden Mount or the Giant Swing, it easily becomes a half-day Old Town route.

 

A: Several routes pass the Maha Chai / Ratchadamnoen area, such as 2, 9, 39, 44, 68, 79, 503, 511, 512, 516, and Por.Por. 1, 8, 10. Get off nearby and walk to the temple.

 

A: Dress modestly, avoid overly short or tight clothing, and keep a respectful volume inside the temple grounds so you don’t disturb worshippers.