The Temple of the Emerald Buddha

The temple of the Emerald Buddha

A contemplative stop on the Bangkok audio-guided tour, the temple of the Emerald Buddha, or Wat Phra Kaew, is considered the most sacred sanctuary in all of Thailand. It is reached through the Wiset Chai Si gate, the main entrance of the Grand Palace.

The most revered icon of the country

Located inside the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew is the spiritual heart of the nation. The statue it houses is the most revered religious icon in Thailand. Far from being gigantic, it is barely sixty centimetres, carved from a single block of jadeite, and yet invested with immense importance.

What to see

Set in a sumptuous shrine, the statue wears garments of gold and precious stones that only the king has the privilege of changing three times a year, with the seasons. This sacred ritual recalls the inseparable bond between monarchy and religion in Thailand. Access is charged and outside this route; the place is approached with the utmost deference.

Practical information

Wat Phra Kaew is within the Grand Palace, in Phra Nakhon. Access, which is charged, requires dress covering shoulders and knees and respect for silence; hours and conditions should be checked depending on the season.

Why is the Emerald Buddha so important ?

It is the most revered religious icon in Thailand, a symbol of the bond between monarchy and religion.

Who changes the statue's garments ?

Only the king has the privilege of changing its garments three times a year, with the seasons.