Wat Rakhang Khositaram is a royal temple on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River in Thonburi, directly across from the Grand Palace and next to Siriraj Hospital. Its name means "temple of the bell": under King Rama I a bell with a remarkable tone was found here, and the king had it moved to Wat Phra Kaeo and replaced it with five other bells. According to the guides consulted in October 2026, entry is free and the temple is open daily from 8am to 6pm. Allow 30 to 45 minutes; the ferry crossing from Tha Chang, on the Grand Palace side, is part of the fun.
Highlights
The ordination hall (ubosot)
A pavilion with tiered, gilded roofs, surrounded by small white chedis and clipped bonsai trees. With no crowds, the temple offers a peaceful setting that the big temples on the east bank no longer have.
The great golden bell
A monumental gilded bell in the courtyard recalls where the temple's name comes from.
The Ho Trai, the wooden library
An elegant dark-red wooden house on stilts with gilded touches, a former library for Buddhist texts (the Tripitaka) that, according to guides, holds precious Thai paintings; access to the interior may be limited, so ask on site.
Somdet Toh
The revered monk Somdet Phra Phutthachan (Toh) was abbot of the temple from 1852 to 1872. Worshippers still come to pray before his image and ask for good fortune.
A quiet stop
The temple is part of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's "Respect to the Nine Temples" campaign: you will mostly meet worshippers and a few travellers.
Practical info
Tips
- Clothing that covers shoulders and knees is expected, and you take your shoes off to enter the halls; see our guide to what to wear in temples. The ferry from Tha Chang (N9) to Wat Rakhang costs a few baht; check the last departure of the day. The temple combines well with the nearby Siriraj Museum, then a meal at Wang Lang market, and fits into a half day in Thonburi, together with Wat Arun and Wat Kalayanamit. Across the river, Rattanakosin Island brings together the Grand Palace and Wat Pho.
How to get there
250/1 Arun Amarin Road, Siri Rat, Bangkok Noi District, Bangkok 10700. Take the Chao Phraya Express Boat to Tha Chang pier (N9), then the small ferry across to Wat Rakhang pier. Another option: Wang Lang (Siriraj) pier (N10), a few minutes' walk away. From BTS Saphan Taksin, reach the river at Sathorn pier and take a boat upstream to Tha Chang.
Opening hours
Nearby
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