Wat Traimit, at the end of Yaowarat Road in Chinatown, near Hualampong Train Station, is the perfect place to admire the gleaming golden Buddha statue. It is one of the best royal temples in Bangkok and is famous for housing a pure gold statue of Lord Buddha. It is known as the “Temple of the Golden Buddha” as it houses the most prominent gold statue in the world, almost 5 meters high and weighing 5.5 tons. This 13th-century temple houses the iconic gold Buddha statue of Wat Traimit in elegant Sukhothai style, found by sheer luck or accident some 40 years ago.
Hidden in the stucco/gypsum exterior, the figure was discarded. However, the idol’s origin is still under investigation as it is believed to have come from the Sukhothai or Ayutthaya period when the Burmese attacked the city.
The Golden Buddha Statue of Wat Traimit
The elegant golden Buddha image of Wat Traimit as we see it now is known as Phra Phuttha Maha Suwan Patimakon. But the story of how it ended up in this temple is quite impressive. After the capital of Thailand was moved from Ayutthaya to Bangkok by King Rama I, this statue, then covered in stucco and plaster, was also moved. In 1955 a new building was erected to house this statue, and while it was being forced to its new location, it fell from the crane. The people responsible for transporting this statue, fearing it would bring them bad luck, fled without recovering it.
Night rains washed away some of the plaster, revealing the original golden statue, which local monks discovered in the morning. Previously, the identity of this statue was neither discovered nor known. Even more than 50 years after the discovery of this statue, its origin is unknown. It is very uncertain whether it belonged to the Sukhothai period or the Ayutthaya period.
The most popular speculation, however, is that it was initially cast in the Sukhothai period, i. H. sometime between 1238 and 1438. Later, during the Ayutthaya period, it must have been covered with plaster to hide its true identity from the Burmese invaders.
The architecture of Wat Traimit
The three-story structure of Wat Traimit appears white from the outside and is topped with a golden roof. The building housing the exquisite Buddha statue is called Phra Maha Mondop. There is a museum dedicated to Chinatown on the first floor. Estate. It shows the history and life story of Chinese immigrants in Bangkok. Complete information on Chinatown can be found here.
The second floor contains information about the golden Buddha statue. It indeed houses the pieces of plaster used to cover the icon. And on the third floor is the golden statue. Hundreds of people visit this place every day to capture its splendour in their eyes. With high religious significance, the figure is unique.
Visitor Tips:
- It would be best if you went barefoot to the temple.
- Conservative dress is recommended as this is a religious site.
