Wat Pathum Wanaram Rachaworawihan
A quiet royal temple wedged between Siam and CentralWorld, and most people walk straight past it.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Daily 07:30–17:00
Dress Modestly
Cover shoulders and knees at all temples. Carry a light scarf or sarong — some temples lend wraps, but not all. Shoes come off before entering any building with a Buddha image.
Details
- Phone
- +66 2 251 6478
Full opening hours
Tours that include Wat Pathum Wanaram Rachaworawihan
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Wat Pathum Wanaram Rachaworawihan.
Why go, and how to do it well
Most people walk right past this one on their way between Siam and CentralWorld, which is exactly why it's worth stopping. It's a royal temple with strong links to the Thai royal family, and the crowd inside is mostly locals who've come to pray rather than photograph. That changes the feel of the place completely.
The main hall is smaller than you'd expect and better for it. Blue-toned murals of scenes from the Buddha's life run around the walls, and the sanctum is packed with Buddha images, one of them enthroned. Outside there's a meditation garden, monks' quarters and a crematorium. The garden is where I'd spend my time. Ten minutes on a bench and the traffic noise on Rama I stops registering. Entry is free, so there's no reason not to duck in for a quarter of an hour when the shopping gets too much.
If you're in town over New Year, the eve chanting ceremony is a proper event. Registration has run from mid-afternoon with a small donation for a chanting book, and there are seats rather than floor space.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Sep 2026
Stay within reach of Wat Pathum Wanaram Rachaworawihan
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Tours that include Wat Pathum Wanaram Rachaworawihan
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Wat Pathum Wanaram Rachaworawihan.
Around here, on foot
Well-rated places within a short walk of Wat Pathum Wanaram Rachaworawihan, nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.
- 2 minCentral World SkywalkActivities & Tours · 160 m · 4.7★
- 2 minGourmet Eats Siam Paragon BranchRestaurants & Food · 170 m · 4.4★
- 2 minfoodwOrldRestaurants & Food · 170 m · 4.1★
- 2 minHug Thai (centralwOrld)Restaurants & Food · 180 m · 4.5★
- 2 minSEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean WorldActivities & Tours · 190 m · 4.5★
- 3 minSiam Paragon Food HallRestaurants & Food · 200 m · 4.5★
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Wat Pathum Wanaram Rachaworawihan, round out your day in Bangkok with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
This is a Wat that you will often missed walking from Siam to Central world and vice versa. My first participation on the eve of New year chanting. The feeling is awesome, everything is so well organized and orderly. Make me wanna come back again. Start of registration at 1500 and we proceed to reserve seat. Oh ya, seats are available if you are worried about sitting on the floor. During registration, donation of 60baht/pax and you will be given a chanting book in Thai though. The chanting 1900 to 0100. If you are like me who can’t read Thai, you are welcome to observe the whole chanting or leave anytime. Most people are dressed in white and please observe the dress code for temple visit. The serenity you will felt despite sandwiched in between 2 major locations for New year concert. This will definitely not the last time for me. Sadhu sadhu🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Free entry to this Thai Buddhist Temple. Great place to see old Thai architecture. Most visitors are locals who come and pray, so ensure to keep your volume low as respect to devotees. Highly recommended! 💯
This is a pretty Buddhist temple with plenty of connections to the Thai royal family. The main wat is a surprisingly small and intimate hall with blue background murals depicting the life of the Buddha and possibly scenes from Ramayana. The sanctum has lots of statues of the Buddha , one of which is enthroned. Lots of locals were visiting when I was there.
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 4,889 reviews on Google.
969 Rama I Rd, Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand
Open in Google MapsMore temples & culture nearby
All within a 13-minute walk of Wat Pathum Wanaram Rachaworawihan.
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Tips for Visiting Temples & Culture
Mind Your Feet
Never point your feet at a Buddha image or a monk — it's considered deeply disrespectful. When sitting inside a temple, tuck your feet behind you or to the side.
Ask Before Photographing
Exterior photos are almost always fine, but some interior halls prohibit photography. Look for signs, and never pose irreverently with Buddha images — it's a legal offense in Thailand.
Go Early Morning
Big-name temples are dramatically less crowded in the first hour after opening. You'll also avoid the worst of the midday heat and get softer light for photos.
Wat Pathum Wanaram Rachaworawihan: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wat Pathum Wanaram Rachaworawihan worth visiting?
Wat Pathum Wanaram Rachaworawihan holds a 4.7★ rating from 4,889 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated temples & culture in Bangkok.
What are the opening hours of Wat Pathum Wanaram Rachaworawihan?
Wat Pathum Wanaram Rachaworawihan is typically open 07:30–17:00 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
When is the best time to visit Wat Pathum Wanaram Rachaworawihan?
The best months to visit Bangkok are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December & January — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: April – May (peak heat).
Where is Wat Pathum Wanaram Rachaworawihan located?
Wat Pathum Wanaram Rachaworawihan is at 969 Rama I Rd, Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand, in Bangkok. Getting around Bangkok: BTS Skytrain (most central areas); MRT Metro (underground).
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