Wat Pho
“Temple of the Reclining Buddha”

The Wat Pho or “Temple of the Reclining Buddha” is the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok, it is one of Bangkok’s most visited temples which is a must-do for tourists who travel to Thailand for Bangkok temple tour. The temple is located near the grand palace. Wat Pho is one highlight tourists’’ destination for the remarkable history inherited in this Thai temple- the most beautiful giant reclining Buddha, the first class royal temple and personal temple of King Rama I, the temple in Bangkok with the highest number of stupas, the center of education to accumulate knowledges and local wisdom, the first open university in Thailand, the origin of traditional Thai massage.It is recognized from UNESCO as the memory of the world from its marble illustrations and inscriptions of herbal drug recipes and traditional Thai massage therapy in the temple.

Wat Pho is famous for its giant 46-metre long reclining Buddha covered in gold leaf. The statue with posture of sleeping or reclining buddha is 15 meters high and 46 meters long. It is one of the largest Buddha statues in Thailand. The Reclining Buddha in Wat Pho is the most beautiful statue because the palm feet were decorated with the mother-of-pearl inlaid work which represents 108 auspicious symbols of the Buddha. Wat Pho is the reign temple of King Rama The First. It is one of the 6 royal temples that are of the highest class of first class Royal temples. Of all temples of more than 30,000 temples in Thailand, Wat Pho is one of the 6 temples with the ending name of Ratchaworamahawihan, classified as the first-class royal temple.

Wat Pho temple complex contains the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand brought from abandoned temples in Ayutthaya, Sukhothai and other sites by the order of King Rama I. The temple complex has 99 stupas, considered the highest number found in any temple in Bangkok. The four great stupas are dedicated to the first four Kings of the Chakri Dynasty that had ever seen each other during their lifetimes.

Wat Pho is the center of education specializing in religion, science and literature. It is regarded as the first open university in Thailand. It is the place to accumulate the knowledge and local wisdom, which were inscribed on the stones. There are  1,431 stone inscriptions of herbal drug recipes and traditional Thai massage therapy in this temple. The marble illustrations and inscriptions placed in the temple for public instructions has been recognised by UNESCO in its Memory of the World Program.