Churches, mosques, and Chinese and Hindu temples in Bangkok

The rules to know before going in

In all places of worship, clothing covering shoulders and knees is the rule, you take off your shoes at the entrance of Hindu and Chinese temples and mosques, and you speak quietly. In mosques, women also cover their hair, and in churches avoid entering during mass unless you attend it. Ask before photographing worshippers. More details in our guide to what to wear in temples and the one on etiquette in Thailand.

Catholic churches: a Portuguese tradition

Bangkok's first Catholics were descendants of Portuguese who settled on the west bank after the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767.

• Santa Cruz Church, in Kudi Chin, in Renaissance Revival style with a red dome, dates from 1913-1916. Free admission, open mainly late in the day and for masses.
• The Assumption Cathedral, on the east bank near Charoen Krung, is Thailand's main Catholic church; its present red-brick building was rebuilt between 1910 and 1918.

Chinese temples: Yaowarat and Talat Noi

The Sino-Thai community, very present in Bangkok, left many temples in the Yaowarat district. Wat Mangkon Kamalawat is the largest, a Mahayana Buddhist temple where people pray by burning incense, very lively at Chinese New Year and the vegetarian festival. In the lanes by the river, small shrines also dot Talat Noi; our guide to Chinatown helps you spot them. In Kudi Chin, a small Chinese shrine, Kuan An Keng, stands next to Santa Cruz Church.

Hindu temples: Silom and Phahurat

The Sri Maha Mariamman temple, on Silom Road, built in 1879 by Tamil immigrants, is the city's main Hindu temple; its entrance tower is covered with carved deities. In the Phahurat district, "Little India", there is also a large white and gold Sikh gurdwara, whose entrance is generally open to respectful visitors, with head covered and barefoot.

Brahmanic shrines and wishing places

Thais mix Buddhism and the worship of Hindu deities. The Erawan Shrine, in Ratchaprasong, dedicated to Brahma, receives offerings every day, and dancers paid for by worshippers. The City Pillar Shrine, near the Grand Palace, houses the lak mueang, the symbolic pillar of Bangkok's foundation. The Chao Mae Tuptim Shrine, behind the Swissôtel Nai Lert Park hotel, is a place of prayer for fertility, filled with wooden phalluses offered to the spirit.

Mosques

The Haroon Mosque, in Soi 36 of Charoen Krung, goes back to a Muslim community founded on the waterfront around 1828; the present brick building dates from 1934. Visitors are generally welcome outside prayer times, but it is better to ask permission before going in. Smaller mosques also exist in Kudi Chin and in Thonburi's neighbourhoods.

One more Buddhist temple: Wat Prayoon

If you are in Kudi Chin, add Wat Prayoon: its white chedi and tortoise hill can be visited free of charge, and the temple is reached on foot from Santa Cruz Church.

Summary table

Information to be checked on the detailed pages before your visit.

Going further

For a walking route, see our guide to Thonburi for Kudi Chin, and the one on Chinatown for Yaowarat. For festivals, see Christmas in Bangkok.