Rating: 2.7/5 (13 votes)

Open Days: Generally open daily

Opening Hours: Generally around 08:00 – 17:00 (hours may vary by ceremonial areas/monastic activities)

 

Wat Bowonniwet Vihara Ratchaworawihan is a major royal temple on Phra Sumen Road in Phra Nakhon. It carries a sense of “disciplined calm” that fits its status in Bangkok’s historic core. Once you step past the street line and enter through the gate, the liveliness of Bang Lamphu gradually fades, leaving the rhythm of your footsteps, the occasional soft bell, and an orderly atmosphere that gently invites visitors to become more composed without anyone having to say a word.

 

Historically, the temple was formerly known as “Wat Mai” and was established during the reign of King Rama III. Somdet Phra Bowon Ratchao Maha Sakdiphonlasep (the Front Palace) played a key role in founding and supporting the temple. As a result, it holds the status of a first-class royal temple (Ratchaworawihan) and became one of the defining landmarks of Rattanakosin Island, where religious devotion is closely intertwined with the early urban structure of the capital.

 

The appeal of Wat Bowonniwet is not only its scale, but its “complete royal-temple character,” with a deliberate, orderly layout. The sacred precinct (phutthawat) and monastic precinct (sangkhawat) are clearly defined, guiding visitors through the grounds in a natural sequence. If you enjoy reading architecture, this is a temple best experienced by walking slowly and noticing details rather than rushing to photograph everything. The real craft of royal temples often lies in proportion, roof rhythm, and subtle components you can feel even without explanations.

 

One of the most important objects of devotion here is “Phra Phuttha Chinnasi” — a significant Buddha image in the Phitsanulok tradition that was brought to Bangkok in the early Rattanakosin era and enshrined at Wat Bowonniwet. Its beauty feels calm, weighty, and disciplined in artistic terms, matching the temple’s personality in an almost surprising way: quiet at first glance, yet increasingly rich the longer you look.

 

If you are interested in “Phra Satsada” (Phra Si Satsada), it is another highlight worth seeking out. This important Buddha image is also connected to the Phitsanulok lineage, with historical interpretations that trace its era further back beyond Rattanakosin. In that sense, viewing Buddha images in this temple is not only about making merit or wishing for blessings, but about standing before artistic evidence that has traveled across time and regions to gather in one place.

 

Another layer that sets Wat Bowonniwet apart from a typical “old-town temple visit” is the art of the Rama IV period, especially the name Khrua In Khong. Art-history enthusiasts often recognize him as a master who pioneered Western-influenced techniques in Thai mural painting (depth and perspective, light and shadow, and volume). This makes mural viewing here more than following stories in pictures — it becomes a window into how Thai society’s way of seeing the world evolved during a transitional era.

 

If you want to experience this temple at its best, try splitting your visit into two rhythms. First, “worship with intention” — choose one or two key points and let yourself be quietly present without rushing. Second, “read like an observer” — walk through architectural elements and artworks more carefully. You may start to notice that royal temples in the old town do not compete through loud spectacle, but through refinement and meaning embedded in spatial order.

 

Getting There Visiting is convenient by public transport, and it is also easy to walk here from the Bang Lamphu – Khaosan area. If you take a bus, there are several routes serving the Bang Lamphu zone with stops near the temple (for example, routes 56 and 68 among others), making transfers manageable. If you drive, it is best to plan ahead for parking and allow extra time, as Bangkok’s old town has limited parking and traffic conditions can be tight, especially in the late afternoon, evenings, and on weekends.

 

Etiquette matters in the historic district: dress respectfully, keep your voice low, avoid blocking paths for worshippers, and if you take photos, watch for signs or avoid moments when ceremonies are underway. The temple’s calm is a shared “resource” everyone helps protect — and the more gently you move, the more clearly the temple’s beauty seems to return to you.

 

 

A: It is on Phra Sumen Road in Bowon Niwet Subdistrict, Phra Nakhon District, near Bang Lamphu and Khaosan Road, with easy walking connections around the old town.

 

A: It was established during the reign of King Rama III, with Somdet Phra Bowon Ratchao Maha Sakdiphonlasep (the Front Palace) playing a major role in its foundation and patronage.

 

A: Many visitors focus on Phra Phuttha Chinnasi, Phra Satsada (Phra Si Satsada), the mural tradition associated with Khrua In Khong, and the refined, orderly atmosphere of a royal temple in Bangkok’s historic core.

 

A: Generally around 08:00 – 17:00. Mornings are usually cooler and less crowded, while late afternoon light can be pleasant for appreciating architectural details.

 

A: Yes. The Bang Lamphu area is served by multiple routes with stops near the temple (for example, routes 56 and 68 among others). Many travelers get off around Bang Lamphu and walk the remaining distance.

 

A: Popular nearby options include Khaosan Road, Democracy Monument, Phra Sumen Fort, Santi Chai Prakan Park, and the National Museum Bangkok (Phra Nakhon), all within short travel distance.