Wat Thepthidaram

Temple in Bangkok

CC BY-SA 4.0 / กสิณธร ราชโอรส

Wat Thepthidaram was constructed in 1836 by King Rama III to honor one of his wives. Reflecting the era’s fascination with Chinese culture, the temple features distinct Chinese-inspired decor, including gables adorned with Chinese porcelain and several ancient Chinese statues placed around the grounds.

The temple’s main compound consists of the ordination hall (ubosot) surrounded by two prayer halls (wiharns). The walled courtyard is marked by prangs, or corn cob-shaped towers, at each corner. In the center of the courtyard, a Buddha image sits on an impressive golden boat-shaped altar, carved from rare snow-white stone. The northern wiharn, with its unique gilded window frames, is typically closed to the public, while the southern wiharn, encircled by several small pagodas (chedi), houses another highly revered Buddha image. In 1977, the Fine Arts Department designated Wat Thepthidaram as a national monument.

The temple is most famous for its association with Thailand’s renowned poet, Sunthorn Phu, often called the “Shakespeare of Thai literature.” He spent three years living as a monk here, and in 1986, over a century after his death, UNESCO recognized his cultural contributions by declaring him a “Great Personality of the World.” Unfortunately, some of his unpublished manuscripts stored at the temple were lost to humidity and pests.

In June 2006, the living quarters of Sunthorn Phu, located at the rear of the temple, were transformed into a museum named the “House of the Great Poet,” a project led by Silapakorn University of Fine Arts. This museum aims to preserve and celebrate the legacy of Sunthorn Phu for future generations.

While Wat Thepthidaram may not be in the best condition today, its historical significance makes it well worth a visit.

The Wat Thepthidaram appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Bangkok!

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