Wat Thepthidaram, Bangkok

Wat Thepthidaram is a quiet royal temple of the third grade in Bangkok with a hall containing images of female disciples of the Buddha.

History

King Rama III established Wat Thepthidaram in 1836 for his daughter, Princess Kroma Muen Apsomsudathep. The temple was built in a mixture of Chinese architectural styles and with four prang. Sunthon Phu, Thailand’s most famous poet, resided in this temple during his monkhood from 1840 to 1842. The name of the temple translates as "Temple of the Heavenly Daughter."

What to see

In the ubosot the principal Buddha image, carved from pure white stone and known as Luang Por Khao ("Venerable White Buddha"), sits inside a small, curtained shrine. King Rama IX gave the image its formal name of Phra Phuttha Thewawilat in 1971.

In the "Bhikkhuni Viharn," there is an image of Mahapajapati Gotami, the Buddha's stepmother and one of his foremost disciples, together with unique brass images of 52 bhikkhunis (fully ordained female monks) surrounding her.

Getting there

Located on Maha Chai Road, a little further south than Wat Ratchanadda, the temple can be reached on foot from Khao San Road or Ratchadamnoen Klang, where the aircon bus 511 runs to the Sukhumvit area. Alternatively, take the BTS to Ratchathewi station or MRT to Hua Lamphong station and continue by taxi.

Updated: March 6, 2012.