Wat Chalerm Phrakiat

A wiharn and the large chedi of the temple.

 
On the banks of the Chaophraya River north of Bangkok, King Rama III built a large and impressive temple to commemorate his mother, who once lived in the area. The temple was built within an old fortification built by King Narai of Ayuthaya in the seventeenth century. The outer wall, in particular the side facing the river, still resembles a fortress.

The temple consists of a large ubosot (ordination hall), flanked by two smaller wiharns (prayer halls). All three buildings feature roofs with gables richly decorated using colored porcelain, giving them a Chinese flavor that was popular at the time. The doors and window shutters are decorated with rather simple but elegant designs on black lacquer. Inside the ubosot there are pictures of the current royal family on their many visits to the temple.

The Monk's quarters in the temple grounds.

Behind the ubosot is a large white-washed chedi built by King Rama IV (Mongkut) in the mid-nineteenth century. The outer wall of the stairway leading up to the base of the chedi has a bas relief Chinese dragon emblazoned on it.

All of the buildings sit in a large compound still filled with trees, unlike most temples in the city. Behind the northern wiharn is a sort of folly. A man-made mountain with a waterfall and 'cave' which you can walk through to reach the wiharn.

North of the main temple buildings, the monk's living quarters (kuti) are traditional elevated Thai style buildings.

Immediatly next to the temple is Chalerm Kanchanpisek Park.

Photo Gallery

For more pictures of Wat Chalerm Phrakiet, see our online photo gallery.

Getting There

Wat Chalerm Phrakiet sits right on the west bank of the Chaophraya River. The easiest way to get there is to take the Chaophraya Express Boat service to the Nonthaburi Pier, then hire a long-tailed boat for the short trip up to the temple. You can also combine a trip here with a trip to Koh Kred.