Wat Bowonniwet: the royal temple of Banglamphu

Updated on October 5, 2026

Wat Bowonniwet Vihara, usually called Wat Bowon, is a royal temple in Banglamphu on Phra Sumen Road, a ten-minute walk from Khao San Road. Founded in 1824, it is the seat of the Dhammayut order, one of the two great branches of Thai Buddhism. Entry is free; allow 30 to 45 minutes for a visit. It is a working temple, far quieter than the big sights of Rattanakosin, where you will mostly meet monks and worshippers.

Highlights

The ubosot and its tiered roofs

The white ordination hall, with green and gold tiled roofs, is surrounded by boundary stones and doors trimmed with gold. It houses two golden Buddhas, one of them in the Sukhothai style.

The temple of royal monks

Prince Mongkut, the future King Rama IV, became its first abbot in 1836 and founded the Dhammayut order here. King Bhumibol (Rama IX) was a monk here in 1956, and his son, King Vajiralongkorn, in 1978. The temple holds the ashes of Kings Rama VI and Rama IX.

Khrua In Khong's murals

Inside the ubosot, the frescoes by the monk-painter Khrua In Khong combine Western perspective, then new in Siam, with Buddhist subjects. Access to the hall may be limited outside visiting hours: ask at the entrance.

The great golden chedi

The golden stupa, around fifty metres tall according to guides, dominates the temple. Nearby are also the scripture library (Ho Trai) and a building that shelters an offshoot of the sacred fig tree planted by King Mongkut.

Infos pratiques

Tips

Shoulders and knees must be covered (no shorts, tank tops or flip-flops), and you take your shoes off before entering the halls. Entry is free; donation boxes collect gifts for upkeep. Opening hours vary by source (6am or 8am in the morning, 6pm in the evening) and the monks reserve some halls at prayer times: check on site. The temple pairs well with Wat Saket and its Golden Mount or with Khao San Road, and anyone interested in meditation should read our guide to meditation in Bangkok. For a history break, the Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall is a few minutes away. Information checked in October 2026.

How to get there

248 Phra Sumen Road, Bowon Niwet, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200. There is no metro or BTS station: take the express boat to Phra Arthit pier (N13), about 700 metres away, or a taxi from the Grand Palace. On foot, allow 10 minutes from Khao San Road.