Wat Prayoon
Wat Prayoon or officially Wat Prayurawongsawat Worawihan sits on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River at the foot of Memorial Bridge. Construction took place during the reign of King Rama III, on an old coffee plantation. It was originally called Wat Rualek inspired by the Iron fence that surrounded it made from axes, swords, and lances. A small section of the fence remains. In 2013 the temple won an award from UNESCO for its conservation project.
The Chedi
Wat Prayoon features a unique large white bell-shaped Lanka style chedi which contains relics of the Buddha. It was the first temple of the Rattanakosin period to feature a Lanka style chedi. There are 18 smaller chedis spread around the base.
You can reach the upper terrace of the chedi by a narrow stairway accessible via the museum. There are good views of the local area from the terrace. There is a small entrance to the inside of the pagoda on the inner terrace wall. To the left of the chedi, you will see the famous red iron fence, a gate through which leads to the temples Vihara and Ordination Hall which stand side by side. The iron fence came from England and given to the temple by King Rama III.
The Buddha Images Museum
Next to the base is a Buddha images museum that features many images, amulets and other artifacts discovered inside the base of the chedi during renovation works in 2006. In all over 270 images were found along with thousands of amulets. You can see some of the discoveries displayed in the museum.
The Ordination Hall
The temples Ordination Hall is to the right if looking from the Buddha Images Museum. The Buddha image inside is Phra Buddha Vishnu Prophet in the posture of suppressing Mara (conquering evil). The image is made from metal and gilded with gold plate by artisans from Japan. It was placed in the temple in 1828, the same year of the temple’s construction. The murals behind the image portray scenes from the life of the Buddha while on the surrounding walls are scenes from the Jataka.
The Vihara
The Vihara next door contains another large image, Phra Phuttathama Wichettha Satsada. The Buddha was named by King Rama IX at a ceremony at the temple in 1992.
The Khao Mo Cemetery
Wat Prayoon’s other distinctive feature is the Khao Mo cemetery which is next to the temple’s main entrance. The cemetery features a collection of shrines dedicated to the deceased and a replica mountain modeled after a mound of melted candle wax set in a rock garden, surrounded by a pond and featuring spirit houses, miniature chedis, stupas, cathedrals, pavilions, a doll’s house, a grotto, and rare plants.
The Mountain
The mountain is made from rocks and stones piled on top of each other. A cave in the mountain houses a reclining Buddha image. At the edge of the pond is a gothic style Mondop built-in 1885 during the reign of King Rama V. The design was by European architects the Grassi brothers who also built Bang Pa-In Palace & Buraphiphirom Palace. Luang Pho Kaek, one of Wat Prayoon’s most revered Buddha images is inside the Mondop.
Wat Prayoon Turtles
It’s a peaceful, tranquil place containing benches where you can rest awhile admiring the mountain or feeding the resident turtles and fish who inhabit the pond. A small stall sells bread, papaya, and other fruit for 20 baht a bag which you can feed the turtles using a small stick.
Nearby
After leaving Wat Prayoon, turn left to the river underneath the memorial bridge and turn left again along a riverside walkway which leads to Santa Cruz church and further on to Wat Kalayanamit which are both worth a visit.
Where is Wat Prayoon?
Location: 24 Prachatipok Road
District: Thonburi
Opening Hours: 06.00-18.00
Admission: Free.
Rules: Dress respectfully
How to get there: Take the Chao Phraya Express Boat to Memorial Bridge pier. Then walk or take a taxi across the bridge. The temple is on the right just after crossing the bridge.