Wat Ratchasittharam (Wat Ratchasit)

Wat Ratchasittharam Ratchaworawihan (Wat Ratchasit) is located near Charoen Phat Bridge on Itsaraphap Road, on the Thonburi side of Bangkok. Originally dating back to the Ayutthaya period, it was once known as Wat Phlap. Today, it is a historic temple within the city of Bangkok.

 

During the reign of King Rama I, His Majesty ordered the construction of a new temple adjacent to the original Wat Phlap, merging the two together under the same name, Wat Phlap. Later, in 1828 (B.E. 2351), the King ordered another major restoration of the original temple.

 

King Rama III, before ascending the throne, entered the monkhood and spent his rains retreat (vassa) at this temple. After becoming king, he commissioned a full-scale renovation of the temple complex.

 

One of the significant structures within the temple grounds is Phra Tamnak Chan (the Sandalwood Pavilion), built by King Rama II as a gift to King Rama III for use during his monastic life. It is a small two-room structure: the lower level is constructed of brick and mortar, while the upper level was originally built entirely of sandalwood, with elegantly decorated finials (chofa), bargeboards (bai raka), and mirrored ornaments.

 

Later, King Rama III moved the pavilion next to a nearby Chinese-style royal residence and replaced the deteriorated sandalwood with other durable hardwoods, such as teng rang and teak. As a result, only some portions of the original sandalwood remain today.

 

The ordination hall (ubosot) was reconstructed during the major renovation in the reign of King Rama III. Inside, there were once mural paintings depicting the royal land procession, but much of it has faded or been damaged over time.