“Serving as more than just a religious site, Wat Suthat is the spiritual core that has continually reinforced the sovereignty and unity of Rattanakosin throughout its history.”
— Prof. Kamonchai V., expert in Southeast Asian heritage
History
Wat Suthat Thepwararam is one of Bangkok’s oldest and most recognized Buddhist temples. It was commenced during King Rama I’s reign in 1807. The king aimed to construct a large temple to house an important Buddha image as well as to promote Buddhism in the new capital of Rattanakosin (present-day Bangkok). While construction began under King Rama I, it was not finished until the reign of King Rama III, so it took over 40 years to finish. The fact that it took so long shows how important the temple was to the people and monarchy of Thailand.
This temple is special as it contains a giant Buddha image called Phra Sri Sakayamuni, which was relocated from Sukhothai. The king had it moved to Bangkok and placed in the main hall (ubosot). The main hall itself is huge and beautifully adorned with mural paintings that show scenes from Buddhism.
Another aspect that makes Wat Suthat renowned is the Giant Swing (Sao Ching Cha) in front of the temple. It was once used in important Brahmin ceremonies many years ago.
Today, Wat Suthat is not just a religious destination but also a historical one where Thai art and architecture are represented in all their beauty. Numerous tourists visit to pray, take pictures, and familiarize themselves with Thai culture.
Art and Architecture of Wat Suthat Thepwararam
Wat Suthat Thepwararam is regarded as one of Thailand’s most prominent temples in terms of religious art and architecture. It beautifully blended of mural paintings, sculpture, and traditional Thai architectural art, all of which reflect deep-rooted Buddhist beliefs and cosmology
The Ubosot (Ordination Hall) of Wat Suthat Thepwararam
The Ubosot at Wat Suthat is one of the most majestic examples of Thai religious architecture. Measuring over 72 meters in length, it is regarded as the longest ordination hall in Thailand. Construction began during the reign of King Rama I and was finished under King Rama III.
Within , the main Buddha image — Phra Sri Sakyamuni — is a large bronze statue originally brought from Sukhothai. It sits in a tranquil meditation posture and serves as the spiritual heart of the temple. Surrounding it are eraborate wall murals from the early Rattanakosin period, depicting scenes from the Jataka tales and the Buddhist cosmos.
The Ubosot’s architecture shows a classic Thai architecture with a multi-tiered roof, finely carved wooden doors, and no supporting brackets under the roofline— a characteristic detail from the era of Rama III. The structure is encircled by eight boundary stones (Bai Sema) set in elaborate marble pedestals, marking it as a sacred place reserved for religious ceremonies.
Mural Paintings
Inside the main hall, the walls are decorated with exquisite mural paintings from the early Rattanakosin period. These artworks illustrate:
• The lives of the 28 previous Buddhas,
• Scenes of the Himavanta Forest and Mount Meru surrounded by the four continents,
• And other symbolic depictions related to Buddhist cosmology.
These murals are not only decorative—they serve as visual scriptures, communicating Buddhist teachings and philosophical ideas in a vibrant and approachable way.
Other remarkable artistic features include marble sema stones surrounding the ordination hall, Chinese-style guardian statues, and symbolic decorative motifs across the temple grounds, reflecting a beautiful fusion of Thai and Chinese artistic traditions.
The importance of Wat Suthat Thepwararam Ratchaworawihan
Wat Suthat is one of the important temples in Bangkok that is outstanding in terms of religion, history, art and culture.
1. Religion
Wat Suthat is important in terms of religion because it is the center of Buddhist activities. There are monks who hold important activities and ceremonies for people to join in various activities in the temple and it is a place for Buddhists to learn and practice Dhamma.
2. History
This temple began construction in the reign of King Rama I and was completed in the reign of King Rama III, reflecting the faith in Buddhism and the prosperity of the Chakri Dynasty and is widely known.
3. Art and architecture
Inside the temple, there is a large and beautiful Ubosot enshrining “Phra Sri Sakyamuni”, a Sukhothai-style cast Buddha image, and valuable mural paintings from the Rattanakosin period.
4. Culture and tourism
Wat Suthat is a tourist attraction that both foreigners and Thais are very interested in because it is an important culture of Bangkok. Both Thai and foreign tourists come to visit its beauty and learn about the history of the temple, allowing them to pass it on to a wider audience.
Wat Suthat is widely regarded as a place of spiritual significance, where worshippers seek blessings of wisdom, inner peace, and prosperity for example ask for forgiveness Ceremony from “Luang Por Klak Fin”
The importance of Luang Por Klak Fin
• Luang Por Klak Fin is a Buddha statue in the Mara-Vijaya posture, created during the reign of King Rama III in 1839 by casting opium from opium seized during the opium suppression, thus receiving the name “Luang Por Klak Fin”. Later, during the reign of King Rama IV, he bestowed the name “Phra Phuttha Setthamuni”, meaning “the most excellent monk”.
• It is enshrined in the Sala Karn Parian, Wat Suthat Thepwararam, and is highly revered by the public. It is believed that paying homage to Luang Por Klak Fin will help release one’s karma, protect one from evil, and encourage those who have problems to turn themselves into good people.
How to ask for forgiveness
Offerings used for asking for forgiveness:
• 5 lotus flowers
• 5 incense sticks
• 5 white candles
• 5 baht in a tray
Steps to ask for forgiveness:
1. Light incense and candles Then stick it in the spot prepared by the temple.
2. Receive the prayer and forgiveness prayer from the temple service point.
3. Sit and pray and ask for forgiveness prayer in the specified order.
4. Place the lotus flower in the pot inside the pavilion and put 5 baht in the golden tray in front of the Buddha statue.
Contributors
Phimwipha Khamkaen
6627648030
Pornpitcha Amornsrivarakul
6627648055
Koollanan Kotrcharee
6627648188
Vongravi sukhabote
6627648246
