Wat Suthat, BANGKOK

Wat Suthat is on Bamrung Muang Road in Bangkok and is famous for the excellent murals created in the reign of King Rama III. The Wihara (preaching hall) should be seen for its collection of gilded Buddha images. A huge door with intricate carving, which is the masterpiece of King Rama II, once belonged to this temple and is now kept in the National Museum. In front of the temple is the Giant Swing or Sao Ching Cha, where a Brahmanic ceremony had taken place until the early 20th century. Many nearby shops stock a very comprehensive range of Buddhist religious supplies.

Wat Suthat was constructed in 1807 after the 27th anniversary of the founding of Bangkok by King Rama I. The main wihan is surrounded by a cirulambutory area of three levels. On the uppermost level are mounted small chapels for each of its fours corners. Phra Sisakayamuni, the main Buddha image, is larger and older than any other bronze cast Buddha image in Thailand. The base of the image is 6.25 metres wide and has a height of 8 metres.

The cloisters surrounding the wihan contain dozens of Buddha images. The compound is very large and sometimes very quiet. The ordination Hall (or ubosot) is said to be one of the most beautiful in Thailand and very large in size. The 72 metre high structure is supported by 68 pillars. Phra Putatrilokachet is a Buddha image cast in bronze. It is 5.20 metres in width and 8.45 metres in height. Surrounding the ubosot can be found many Chinese statues which were originally used as ballast for ships.