Phutthamonthon is a Buddhist park in Nakhon Pathom province, roughly halfway between the provincial capital and Bangkok (30 kilometers away). It is best known for its 15.8-meter-tall "Walking Buddha," considered the tallest of its kind in the world. The statue stands at the center of a 400-hectare landscaped park containing sculptures depicting key events in the Buddha's life: his birth (symbolized by seven lotus flowers), his first sermon to his disciples, his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, and his death. The park also features the marble Canon Pali Temple, where the foundational texts of Theravada Buddhism are inscribed in Thai on 1,418 marble tablets. Construction of Phutthamonthon Park began on July 29, 1955, and it was inaugurated on Vaisakh Bucha Day, May 13, 1957. The statue of the "Walking Buddha" dates from 1981. Phutthamonthon often refers to itself as the world center of Buddhism, but this is an unofficial designation. Note that the park may be listed as Bhuddha Monthon or Bhuddhamonthon, but the signage indicates Phutthamonthon. A ceremony is held here for every Buddhist holiday; the most well-known are probably those for Asanha Bucha and Loy Krathong.

From Bangkok's main bus station, you can reach Putthamonthon Park using bus lines 539 or 170. These buses pass by the main entrance (journey time: over an hour). While it's possible to be dropped off at the intersection about 1 km from the park entrance from Nakhon Pathom, this service isn't widely available. The best option is to take bus 6147 (departs every half hour, fare: 23 THB), which departs from Phayapan Road opposite the Mitr Sampan Hotel. The journey takes an hour. The bus typically stops at Mahidol University. From there, you'll need to cross the road via the bridge. Although there are blue songthaews that go to Putthamonthon Park, we recommend asking the driver to drop you off just before the left turn towards Salaya. Get off as soon as you see the black triangle of the Mahidol University Technology Innovation Center on your left, cross the pedestrian bridge, and turn right just before the highway bridge. The entrance to Putthamonthon Park is one kilometer further on.

Phutthamonthon is a temple, and when visiting a temple in Thailand there are some rules to follow: appropriate clothing (knees and shoulders should be covered), take off your shoes when entering the building, be quiet, do not hug or kiss, do not point your feet at the Buddha statue, do not smoke.

How to get there

How to get to Phutthamonthon? From Bangkok, you can reach Phutthamonthon Park by taking bus 539 or 170. These buses pass by the main entrance (journey time over an hour). From Nakhon Pathom, you can be dropped off at the intersection 1 km from the park entrance, but this service is limited. The best option is to take bus 6147 (every half hour, fare 23 THB), which departs from Phayapan Road opposite the Mitr Sampan Hotel. The journey takes an hour. The bus typically stops at Mahidol University. From there, you'll need to cross the road via the bridge. While there are blue songthaews that go to Phutthamonthon Park, we recommend asking the driver to drop you off just before the left turn towards Salaya. Get off as soon as you see the black triangle of the Mahidol University Technology Innovation Center on your left, cross the pedestrian bridge, and turn right just before the highway bridge. The entrance to Putthamonthon is one kilometer straight ahead.