Wat Arun

Wat Arun…The Temple of Dawn.
วัดอรุณราชวราราม
See where the Emerald Buddha was enshrined before moving it across the river to the Palace.
Climb the steps and touch some history!
If you have 10 Baht coin on your hand, you can see how Wat Arun looks like…but that’s not enought to know about Wat Arun…The Temple of Dawn. 

Wat Arun is across the river from The Grand Palace. There, you will find a pier named “Ta Tien (ท่าเตียน)” just opposite Wat Po.

There is a ferry service there that makes regular runs across the river about every 5 to ten minutes but sometimes they hold to gather people, the fare is just 3 baht (~$0.09) per person.

If you come to visit Wat Arun by the boat taxi from Center Pier (Ref: Khao San Road by Boat),  For Wat Arun, it’s N8 stop.  But you still have to take the ferry service to across the river…

Wat Arun is a very old temple erected in the Ayutthaya Period. The original name is “Wat Makok” as it is located in the Mokok District.

King Taksin (the king before King Rama I) and his army originally planed to build the new capital “Thonburi” on this side of the river after abandoning Ayutthaya as the capital.

King Taksin renamed this temple Wat Jaeng… Jaeng is a Thai word for “bright” which is the origin of the current name “The Temple of Dawn”.

In 1778 King Rama I brought the Emerald Buddha to his new capital and kept it at Wat Arun for 6 years before it was moved to the current location in Wat Phra Keaw (The Grand Palace).

Construction on ”Phra Prang”, Wat Arun’s tall tower and four smaller ones was started by King Rama II 1809-1824 and completed by King Rama III (1824-1851).

Very steep and narrow steps lead to a balcony on the central tower. The circumference of the base of the structure is 234 meters, and the central prang is 250 foot high. These stairs are not for the light hearted as they are extremely steep… Handrails are a modern addition, but I don’t recommend this for anyone who is afraid of heights.

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 spaciousness of Wat Po. This is a great picture spot for those that brave the climb.

The towers of Wat Arun are built of brick covered with stucco. The decorations are unique; thousands of pieces of multicolored Chinese porcelain.

Walking down the steps, don’t forget the handrails!…

Once upon a time, we have story of demons in Wat Arun and Wat Po. The 2 demons “Wat Arun”, mortal enemies of “Wat Po” across the river.

Before they were best friends but the demons in Wat Po borrowed money from the demons in Wat Arun.

The Demon in Wat Po couldn’t return the money as promised. A big fight between them made the earth a mess. God Siva cursed them to be demon statues to protect Wat Arun and Wat Po until today!

In case you haven’t noticed, street shopping is everywhere in Bangkok, and there are numerouse souvenir shops on the side of Wat Arun.

Wat Arun figures in one of Thailand’s most colorful festivals, the Royal Tod Kathin. 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.

*** Idea for day trip  – you can do all of these 3 “MUST SEE” in one day***

The Grand Palace First stop in Bangkok? Welcome to the Grand Palace!!! Why not? A real palace open for you to visit…. พระบรมราชวังและวัดพระแก้วฯ

Wat Pho The most beautiful reclining Buddha is at Wat Po, next to the Palace – And it’s the home of the Thai traditional massage school. Be sure to stop for a massage!

***You are here*** Wat Arun… The Temple of Dawn – see where the Emerald Buddha was enshrined before moving it across the river to the Palace. Climb the steps and touch some history!