Wat Arun Ratchawararam
Wat Arun Ratchawararam (Temple of Dawn) is one of the most iconic landmarks on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, Thailand. Its central prang (tower) rises 70 metres above the western riverbank of Thonburi and is encrusted with fragments of Chinese porcelain and coloured faience, creating a mosaic surface that shimmers in morning and evening light. Dating to the Ayutthaya period in its origins, the temple was substantially rebuilt and the great prang enlarged to its present form by King Rama II and King Rama III in the early nineteenth century.
- Address
- 158 Thanon Wang Doem, Wat Arun, Bangkok Yai, Bangkok 10600, Thailand
- Period
- Ayutthaya period origins; major reconstruction under Rama II (r. 1809–1824) and Rama III (r. 1824–1851)
- Style
- Thai Rattanakosin with Khmer prang influence; Chinese porcelain-mosaic decoration
- Location
- West bank of the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok Yai district, Bangkok
- Coordinates
- 13.7437° N, 100.4889° E
At a glance
- Type
- Royal Buddhist temple (Wat Ratchaworamahawihan, first class)
- Period
- Ayutthaya origins; Rattanakosin reconstruction 1809–1851
- Style
- Khmer-influenced prang; Rattanakosin decorative programme
- Patron
- King Taksin; King Rama II; King Rama III
- Current use
- Active royal temple and major tourist destination
Overview
Wat Arun stands on the Thonburi bank of the Chao Phraya, directly opposite Wat Pho and the Grand Palace complex on the Rattanakosin Island side. Its silhouette — five prangs arranged in a quincunx pattern, the central tower flanked by four smaller ones — is among the most reproduced images of Bangkok and appears on the ten-baht coin. The temple is dedicated to Aruna, the Hindu god of dawn, a name reflecting both its riverside orientation and the spectacular effect of morning light on its porcelain-studded surfaces.
History
A temple existed on this site during the Ayutthaya period under the name Wat Makok; it gained strategic importance in 1768 when King Taksin briefly made Thonburi his capital and the temple served as the repository of the Emerald Buddha before that image was moved to Wat Phra Kaew. The present prang was begun under King Rama II, who remodelled the temple and gave it its current name, and the great tower was raised to its final height of approximately 70 metres under Rama III, who ordered the distinctive mosaic of Chinese porcelain bowls — donated by the Bangkok population — applied to the entire surface. A major restoration was completed in 2017 after years of scaffolding work.
What you see
The central prang is the overwhelming focus: its steep sides are studded with millions of porcelain fragments in floral and geometric patterns, punctuated by terra-cotta figures of mythical beings including yaksha (giants), demons and celestial figures from the Hindu-Buddhist cosmological tradition. Visitors can climb the steep external staircases of the prang to a terrace at mid-height for panoramic views across the river to the Grand Palace. The surrounding temple compound contains an ordination hall with murals, smaller prangs, and Chinese-style guardian statues reflecting the Sino-Thai cultural currents of the Rama III reign.
Cultural significance
Wat Arun is one of six temples designated as royal temples of the highest class in Thailand and is a symbol of the nation recognised worldwide. Its prang form connects Bangkok’s Rattanakosin architecture to the older Khmer tradition of tower shrines, while the Chinese porcelain decoration testifies to the thriving trade relationship between Bangkok and China in the early nineteenth century. The temple appears on the reverse of the Thai ten-baht coin, cementing its status as a national icon.
Practical information
- Address
- 158 Thanon Wang Doem, Wat Arun, Bangkok Yai, Bangkok 10600, Thailand
- Opening hours
- Daily 08:00–18:00 (check official website for current hours)
- Admission
- Entrance fee applies; check official website for current prices
- Dress code
- Modest dress required; sarongs available for hire at the entrance
Getting there
The most atmospheric approach is by river: the Chao Phraya Express Boat stops at Tha Tien pier (N8) on the east bank, from where a cross-river ferry runs every few minutes to the temple’s own landing. From central Bangkok, the MRT Blue Line stops at Sanam Chai station, a 10-minute walk to Tha Tien pier. Alternatively, cross-river ferries run from Wang Lang/Siriraj pier (N10) on the Thonburi side. Taxis and tuk-tuks can drop passengers at the Thonburi riverbank approach on Thanon Wang Doem.