Visit the Benchamabophit Dusitwanaram Temple. Wat Benchamabophit Dusitwanaram Marble Temple | Bangkok

As a first-class royal temple of the Ratchaworawihan type, it was originally an old temple known as Wat Laem or Wat Sai Thong. During the reign of King Rama V, Prince Phiphitphokphuben, son of King Rama II, ordered the army to suppress the Chao Anuwong rebellion at this temple. After the battle, he decided to rebuild Wat Laem with his four younger brothers: Prince Phithak Thewet, Prince Phuwanet Narinthrarit, Princess Inthanil, and Princess Wong. As part of this reconstruction, he ordered the construction of five chedis as memorials, which were placed in front of the temple. During the reign of King Rama IV, he renamed the temple Wat Benchamabophit, meaning "Temple of the Five Royals." Later, during the reign of King Rama V, he expanded the city and acquired land in the Khlong area.

North of the ruined Wat Benchamabophit, between Samsen and Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem, His Majesty commissioned the construction of a new, magnificent, and royal temple. He appointed His Royal Highness Prince Narisara Nuwattiwong to oversee the construction. In 1899, the prince presided over the ceremony for placing the boundary markers. He named the temple "Wat Benchamabophit Dusitwanaram" by adding the letter "M" and the suffix "Temple of King Rama V." He expressed the wish that the deceased's remains be interred beneath the Ratana Throne, Phra-Phra Buddha Chinnarat, the main Buddha statue in the ordination hall. In 1901, King Rama V laid the foundation stone for the ordination hall. He ordered that it be built of Italian marble. He died in 1910 before its completion. During the reign of King Rama VI... Construction continued. Pediments, rak'ah leaves, and hongs were to be decorated with marble on the walls and floor, as was a jeweled throne. Craftsmen were to paint Thai patterns on the walls, and the ashes of King Chulalongkorn were to be interred beneath the jeweled throne of Phra Buddha Chinnarat in the ordination hall. Wat Benchamabophit Dusit Wanaram, also known as the Marble Temple, is known to tourists worldwide by this name because the ordination hall and gallery are decorated with marble from Italy. It is a temple of exquisite beauty, reflecting traditional Thai architecture. The ordination hall is a four-sided pavilion with light pink and gray granite tiles inside. The ordination hall houses a statue of Phra Buddha Chinnarat, commissioned by King Chulalongkorn in 1901. This is a seated Buddha in the Mara Vijaya pose from the Sukhothai period, a replica of the original in Phitsanulok province. It is placed on the Ratana throne. King Rama VI ordered the interment of the royal ashes of King Chulalongkorn, the founder of the temple, which is a symbol of the government.

3. Foreign Ministry

5. Ministry of Muradhathorn

6. Ministry of the Metropolitan

7. Ministry of Public Works

9. Ministry of Agriculture and Trade

11. Ministry of the Palace

Opening hours: 8:30 am - 5:30 pm (daily)

Dress code: Respectful and appropriate clothing is recommended.

Entrance fee: Free for Thai citizens / 100 THB per person for foreigners.

Best time to visit: Any time is fine, but for the best photos, a visit in the morning or evening is recommended when the sunlight is soft.

Beautiful photos are guaranteed, as the warm sunlight reflects off the marble temple, creating a truly magnificent sight.