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Wat Phra Chetuphon or Wat Pho
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Interesting Places in the Wat Phra Chetuphon or Wat Pho
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Wat Chetuphon or Wat Pho, the official name being Wat Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn,
is a first grade Royal monastery, regarded as the most important one during the reign of King Rama I of the Chakri Dynasty.
The importance of this is due to the King having managed the restoration of Wat Phodraram, an old monastery from the
Ayutthaya period were located near the Grand Palace.
Some ashes of King Rama I were also kept inside the pedestal of the Principal Buddha image known as Phra Buddha Deva Patimakorn in the Main Chapel.
The monastery is located on an area of 20 acres to the south of the Grand Palace, with Thai Wang road in the North, with Sanam Chai road in the East.
Setthakan road in the South and Maharat road in the West. Separated by a tall white wall on Chetuphon road, the monastery has two main quarters :
the sacred (or a chapel section = Buddhavas) and the residential (or the monks' living section = Sangghavas).
It is said in a stone inscription that, after moving to the Grand Palace, King Phra Buddha Yod Fa The Great (King Rama I) recognized that
there were 2 old temples along both sides of the Grand Palace : Wat Salak (Wat Mahatart) in the north, and Wat Phodharam in the south.
He ordered his noblemen from the department of the Ten Crafts to restore Wat Phodharam in 1788. The first restoration took 7 years 5 months and
28 days. Then there was a celebration in 1801 and the Royal named it " Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklavas", which was changed to
"Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm" during the reign of King Rama IV.
The great restoration, having taken 16 years and 7 months, was done during the reign of King Rama III, by extending both the South Vihara and
West Vihara where the large reclining Buddha image is kept, the Missakawan Park, Phra Mondop (Library Hall) and teaching-learning hall as they are of today.
Although there was another restoration before the Bangkok Bicentennial Celebration in 1982, no more other major work has been done on the monastery, except for some minor repairs.
From the by-paths of history in the great restoration during King Rama I and King Rama III, it is said that all best craftsmen from the Royal Palace, outside the palace, all art work specialists,
and the monks devoted themselves in creating this elaborately decorated monastery. This was done to fulfill the King's ambition of using this Wat as the centre of Thai arts and knowledge, where descendants can study indefinitely.
Wat Pho is an important landmark in the Rattanakosin Area. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful Buddhist fine arts and the existing Thai intellect which has descended from ancient times, taken as an immortal carrier's of knowledge.
The monastery is opened daily from 08:00 to 17:00, with the admission fee of 20 baht.
King Mongkut on a palanquin in front of Wat Pho during a Kathin ceremony in 1865.
This photo was taken by J. Thomson.
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Interesting Places in the Wat Phra Chetuphon or Wat Pho
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The Buddha Jinaraja or the Buddha Teaching the Five Disciples. This seated image removed from Sukhothai at the
same time with the Buddha Jinasi image. The five disciples are seated in front of the Buddha listening to the First Sermon
The image of the Reclining Buddha. The pearl-shell inlay soles of the Reclining Buddha showing the 108 auspicious signs
placing in 67 small squares surrounding the Chakra at the centre
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Wat Pho is located on Sanam Chai road and Maharaj road next to the Grand Palace.
It is open daily between 08:00 and 17:00 hrs, with admission fee of 20 baht. Tourists must be in polite dress, no shorts,
although trousers are permitted. For more information please call 02-225-9595, 222-9779, 221-1375.
The Thai Traditional Medical Science School and Body Massage
Open daily during 08:00 and 17:00 hrs.
Massage service fee 200 baht2hour.
Herbal Massage service fee 300 baht2hour.
For more information please contact 02-221-2974, 225-4771.
Transportation
Bus No. 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 25, 32, 43, 44, 47, 48, 51, 53, 82, 103.
Air-conditioned Bus No. 1, 6, 7, 8, 12, 44.
Herbal Massage service fee 300 baht2hour.
Chao Phra Express Boat. Get of at Tha Chang Pier, Tha Tien Pier or Pak Klong Talad Pier,
Then walk through Thai Wang Road Entrance.
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A map of Wat Phra Chetuphon or Wat Pho
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