Bangkok Guide
Dusit
Wat Benjamabophit
Opening time: Daily 7am–5pm
Price: B20
Address: Thanon Sri Ayutthaya
The temple of Wat Benjamabophit is an interesting fusion of classical Thai and nineteenth-century European design, with its Carrara marble walls – hence the tourist tag "The Marble Temple" – complemented by the sanctuary's unusual stained-glass windows, Victorian in style but depicting figures from Thai mythology. Inside, a fine replica of the highly revered Phra Buddha Chinnarat image of Phitsanulok presides over the small room containing Rama V's ashes. The courtyard behind the sanctuary houses a gallery of Buddha images from all over Asia, set up by Rama V to display some of the different representations.
Wat Benjamabophit is one of the best temples in Bangkok to see religious festivals and rituals. Whereas monks elsewhere tend to go out on the streets every morning in search of alms, at the Marble Temple the ritual is reversed, and merit-makers come to them. Between about 6 and 7.30am, the monks line up on Thanon Nakhon Pathom, their bowls ready to receive donations of curry and rice, lotus buds, incense, even toilet paper and Coca-Cola; the demure row of saffron-robed monks is a sight that's well worth getting up early for.