Wat Ratchaorasaram Ratchaworawihan is an old royal temple in Chom Thong district, on the west bank of the Chao Phraya, well away from Thonburi's tourist routes. It predates the founding of Bangkok and was then called Wat Chom Thong. In 1820, Prince Jessadabodin, the future King Rama III, performed a rite here before a military expedition to the Three Pagodas Pass; on his return he had it thoroughly restored and made it a royal temple. According to the travel sites consulted in October 2026, the temple is open daily from 8am to 5pm; no entrance fee is mentioned, and you can leave an offering. Allow 30 to 45 minutes on site. The temple is worth a visit mainly for its Rama III-era style, influenced by Chinese art, and for its reclining Buddha; it makes a good complement to a day on the khlongs of Thonburi, which already mention it.
Highlights
The temple entrance
The entrance opens onto the residential neighbourhood of Chom Thong, far from the bustle of the big riverside temples; you mostly meet locals coming to make offerings.
Architecture without roof ornaments
Rama III, a lover of Chinese art, had the temple rebuilt without the usual Thai roof ornaments (chofa), which gives it a very different look from neighbouring temples.
The reclining Buddha
A stucco reclining Buddha of about 20 metres stands on the site, according to our guide to the khlongs of Thonburi.
A neighbourhood temple
No ticket office and no tour groups here: the temple remains an active place of worship, where you can see the ordinary religious life of Thonburi.
Practical info
Tips
- Clothing that covers shoulders and knees is expected, and you remove your shoes to enter the halls; see our guide to what to wear in temples. For a day on the west bank, combine it with Wat Arun and Wat Kalayanamit, then follow our Thonburi guide. The temple is far from the river: plan on a taxi or Grab for the return.
How to get there
258 Soi Ekachai 4, Chom Thong District, Bangkok 10150. Take the BTS to Wutthakat station, then a taxi or Grab towards Ekachai–Chom Thong; buses 43, 120 and 167 also serve the area. Allow extra time at rush hour: traffic is heavy on this side of the city.
Opening hours
Nearby
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