Information: Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, is one of Bangkok's best know landmark. It stands on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River in Thon Buri. Wat Arun is best seen from the opposite bank of the river; it glistens in the sunlight during the day and stands dark and noble at dawn or dusk. A visit to the beautiful, peaceful monastery complex surrounding the familiar towers is very worth-while. These towers, the "Phra Prang," although best known, the only part of Wat Arun. It also contains narrow lanes; elegant, old white buildings; shrines, pools of turtles; and two fine giants, "Yuk Wat Jaeng", mortal enemies of the "Yuk Wat Po" across the river.

The monastery has existed for many years since the days when Ayutthaya was capital of Thailand. It was then named Wat Mokok, situated in a place called Tumbol Bangmakok. The word Bangmakok, meaning " Village of Olive", has since been shortened to " Makok.

When King Taksin and his army reached this place to build his new capital Thonburi, after defeating the Burmese who had sacked Ayutthaya, he arrived at dawn. He renamed the monastery he found there Wat Jaeng- Jaeng meaning "clear", "bright".

Construction of the tall prang and four smaller ones was started by King Rama II   1809-1824  and completed by King Rama III (1824-1851). The towers are supported by rows of demos and monkeys. Very steep and narrow steps lead to a balcony high on the central tower. The circumference of the base of the structure is 234 meters, and the central prang is 250 foot high.

The central balcony commands an impressive view of Bangkok across the river. From here one can see the Grand palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the spacious Wat Po.

The central balcony commands an impressive view of Bangkok across the river. From here one can see the Grand palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the spacious Wat Po.

The towers of Wat Arun are built of brick covered with stucco. The decorations are unique; thousands of pieces of multicolored Chinese porcelain. In niches in the central tower are green figures of the God Indra seated on Erawan, the traditional Thai three-headed elephant. Niches in the smaller towers contain figures of the Moon God, on a white horse. The trident of Shiva extends from the top of each tower.

Wat Arun figures in one of Thailand's most colorful festival, the Royal Tod Kathin. Then His Majesty the King travels down the river in a procession of Royal barges to present new robes to the monks after their three-month lent period.

Information: The Mon Temple and local Mon community in Bankradee Lane off Rama 11 is in Bankunthian District Bangkok. The address of the temple is 12 Kor Moo 9. This Mon Temple was built during the reign of Rama 4. Here the standing Image and bell shaped pagoda are in classic Mon style. In the Mon community in Bangkok the Mon people still speak Mon.

Information: The temple was build in 1910 on the bank of Bangbon Canal, the community temple of Bangbon Tai or south Bangbon was formerly called Wat Mai-Ta-Cheuy after its founder, Ta Cheuy whose name was carved on the arch of the door to the ubosot, before King Rama VI granted it the official name of Wat Bangbon.

Information: Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram is a Buddhist temple in the Dusit district of Bangkok. Also known as the marble temple, it is one of Bangkok's most beautiful temples and a major tourist attraction.

Construction of the temple began in 1899 at the request of King Chulalongkorn after building his palace nearby.

The temple's name literally means the Temple of the fifth King located nearby Dusit Palace. It was designed by Prince Naris, a half-brother of the king, and is built of Italian marble.

Inside the Ordination Hall (Ubosot) is a Sukhothai-style Buddha statue named Phra Buddhajinaraja, cast in 1920 after the original located in Wat Mahathat in Phitsanulok. The ashes of King Chulalongkorn are buried beneath the statue. In the gallery surrounding the ordination hall are 52 buddha statues, collected by Prince Damrong Rajanubhab for his king.

The temple was featured in the famous The Amazing Race 9 as the 10th and final elimination pit-stop.

The site contains the Benchamabophit National Museum. 

Information: Wat Bowonniwet Vihara  is a major Buddhist temple in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok, Thailand. The temple is a center of the Thammayut Nikaya school of Thai Theravada Buddhism and has been a major temple of patronage for the Chakri dynasty. It is the shrine-hall of Phra Phutthachinasri which was moulded in about 1357.

Information: King Rama I appointed a Mon group of monks to look after this Ayutthaya period temple, so it became known in the Mon language as Wat Tong Pu. When Somdet Chao Phraya Maha Surasinghanat moved his troops back to Bangkok after victory in the battle of the Nine Armies, there was a ceremony of ritual bathing and changing of robes before he entered the Grand Palace, so the main temple was restored in 1787. After that, King Rama I gave it the name Wat Chanasongkhram.

Information: This temple was build in the Ayutthaya period by a Chinese named Hong, the temple was known Wat Jaosua or Jeasua Hong. When Thonburi became the capital, the temple was made a centre education under the patronage of King Taksin, who was of Chinese descent himself. It was renovated in the reign of King Rama III.

Information: This commoner's temple was build towards the end of the Ayutthaya period. Over the years it was known by various names. King Rama VI eventually ordered the name to be changed finally, as it had the same name as a temple Bang Yireuatai in Thonburi, Wat Inthara. Somdet Phra Watchirayanwong (MR.Cheun) of Wat Bowonniwetwihan gave it the name by which it is known today.