The Temple of the Standing Buddha

Name:  Wat Intharawihan, the temple of the standing Buddha 

Date: Before 1782

Standing Buddha image 1867 - 1927 

Location : Thanon Wisut Kasat, Bangkok

The Wat Intharawihan or Wat Indravihan is a Buddhist temple complex close to the Chao Phraya river famous for its enormous standing Buddha image.

The temple itself predates the founding of Bangkok in 1782 and was originally named Wat Rai Phrik. During the reign of King Rama I the temple was restored and renamed Wat Intharam.

The massive standing Buddha which is called Luang Pho To or Phra Si Ariyametri dominates the area with its 32 meters height and 10 meters width.

Construction of the Buddha image started in 1867 during the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV) and it took 60 years for it to be completed in 1927. The serene looking Buddha image is holding an alms bowl, that monks still use today when they go out in the streets early morning to receive food from lay people.

During the reign of King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) in the early 20th century, after being renovated the temple received its present name of Wat Intharawihan.

In 1964 and 1967, the current King of Thailand, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Queen Sirikit and their children covered the forehead and the topknot of the Luang Pho To image with gold leaves.

Relics of the Buddha

The topknot of Buddha image contains relics of the Buddha found in Sri Lanka, which were a gift from the government of Sri Lanka and installed by Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn in 1978.

In 1982, when the city of Bangkok celebrated its founding 200 years earlier, restoration works were carried out and the image was decorated with Italian golden mosaics. The Luang Pho To image is believed to possess the power of blessing devotees with success. Every day Buddhist people visit the temple complex to make offerings at the feet of the Buddha statue, bring flowers and other items and burning incense sticks.

Several other smaller Buddha images are placed near Luang Pho To. The temple itself is less visited, although the walls contain mural paintings that are definitely worth seeing.

How to get to the Wat Intharawihan

The temple is located on Thanon Wisut Kasat close to the Rama VIII bridge crossing the Chao Phraya river. You can either get there by metered taxi or take a Chao Phraya express boat to Rama VIII pier, from where it is about 700 meters on foot.

Admission & opening hours

The Wat Intharawihan is open daily from 8:30 am until 8 pm. Admission is free.