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ThailandDescription and is it worth visiting
Wat Ratchapradit Sathit Maha Simaram is a tiny temple that got lost in the shadow of well-known tourist attractions such as Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), Wat Saket (Golden Mount), the Grand Palace, and other major temples in Bangkok's historic district. Tourists rarely visit it, and it's not on the standard tourist routes. But it's still a special place.
This is a first-class royal temple-monastery of the Ratchavorawihan type, built on the conviction of King Rama IV that three temples were needed in the city for traditional royal ceremonies, namely: Wat Mahathat, Wat Ratchaburana, and Wat Ratchapradit. Since Bangkok had neither Wat Ratchapradit nor a temple of the Thammayutika Nikaya school near the Grand Palace, and Wat Bowonniwet Vihara was inconvenient for the king and royal family due to the distance, he ordered the construction of this temple. Construction began in 1864 and was completed in just seven months. Originally, this site was a royal coffee plantation from the time of King Rama III.
During the reign of King Rama V, the ashes of King Rama IV were placed under the main Buddha image in the ubosot (ordination hall). The murals in the ubosot depict 12 royal ceremonies and a solar eclipse, which serves as a memorial tribute to King Rama IV's journey to observe the solar eclipse in tambon Wako, Prachuap Khiri Khan province in 1868.
The temple is truly tiny – its area is only about 2 rai (approximately 3,200 sq. m.). But that's precisely its charm. Unlike its overcrowded neighbors, there's an amazing silence and peace here. We think this place will definitely appeal to those who love off-the-beaten-path experiences and want to feel the authentic atmosphere of old Bangkok away from noisy groups.
Is it worth coming here specifically? If you're in Bangkok for the first time and only have a couple of days, it's probably better to focus on the larger attractions. But if you've already seen the main temples and palaces, or just want some variety and are looking for a quiet place for reflection, Wat Ratchapradit is a great option. You can easily combine it with a visit to the Grand Palace or Wat Pho – it's literally a few minutes' walk away. It's not a top-tier attraction, but it offers a fresh perspective on the city's history and a break from the standard tourist routes.
🕐 Opening hours
The temple is open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices
Entry to the temple is free.
🚶 How to get there
Wat Ratchapradit is located in the old town on the Rattanakosin Peninsula, just a few hundred meters from the Grand Palace, but so hidden behind other buildings in a narrow alley that it's almost invisible from the street (temple on the map).
Within walking distance are the tourist Khao San area and Chinatown, part of the Riverside area (see Bangkok areas).
From other areas of Bangkok you can get here by taxi, water or bus transport, or metro:
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By taxi
A metered taxi ride from most central areas of Bangkok will cost no more than 200 baht (6.08 USD). It's better to use Grab, Maxim taxi, or try InDrive. Uber doesn't work here. You'll see the fare immediately in the app, and you can pay in cash at the end of the ride.
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By metro
If there's a metro station near your hotel, it's best to take it.
Previously, it was impossible to get here by metro, but now the new Sanam Chai and Sam Yot stations on the Blue Line of the underground have opened in this area – they're just a 5-minute walk from the temple's main entrance.
Another option is to take the BTS skytrain to Saphan Taksin station, then take an Express Boat along the Chao Phraya River for 16 baht (0.49 USD) from the pier next to the station to Tha Tien Pier near the Grand Palace, and walk to the temple (see more about Bangkok water transport here). But overall, this is a rather complex roundabout route.
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By bus
The cheapest way to get to the temple is by city buses #1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 25, 43, 44, 47, 53, 60, 82, 91, 123, 501, 508 (fare depending on distance and bus category costs from 8 to 36 baht, which is 0.24 - 1.09 USD), but it may take quite a long time. To plan a bus route in Bangkok, you can use Google Maps, the ViaBus app, or check routes on the official city bus website BTMA.
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By boat
Another option to get closer to the Grand Palace and the temple is to take a water taxi along the canals, but you'll have to walk part of the way. The nearest water taxi stop is near Wat Saket (Golden Mount) – almost two kilometers from the palace – and is called Panfa Leelard. You can get there without transfers from Pratunam and Siam areas for 20 baht (0.61 USD) on the Golden Mount Line boats, but then you'll have to walk another two kilometers to the temple.
More details about all types of Bangkok transport and how to use it.
Friends, we'd like to remind you that exploring Bangkok's attractions is much more interesting with guided tours, so we recommend checking out options with online booking and reviews on these Russian-language tour aggregators: