Located near the entrance to Bangkok’s Chinatown district on Yaowarat Road, Wat Traimit is an easy visit for those interested in uncovering the hidden beauty and mystery beneath Bangkok’s most influential Buddha image and community.
Wat Traimit is actually considered to be a rather modest temple. And although modest on the outside, it’s what’s inside that draws people to visit Wat Traimit.
People come to Wat Traimit to view the splendor of the world’s largest solid Gold Buddha image. Known in Thai as Phra Buddha Maha Suwanna Patimakorn, the 3.3 meter tall Buddha image is reportedly comprised of 18 karat gold and weighs five and a half tons. The image is 700-800 years old and is worth at least $250 million USD.
The Golden Buddha
The Golden Buddha has an interesting history.
It was originally located in Sukhothai city in the 13th century before being moved to Ayutthaya around 1403. Then at some time before 1767, it was encased in plaster.
What many visitors don’t know about this 13th century Sukhothai styled Buddha image, is that this statue spent many years hiding underneath its cloak of plaster and stucco. This plaster and stucco covering successfully hid the solid gold Buddha image from invading Burmese armies, thieves, and looters for several centuries.
The image remained in the ruins of Ayutthaya until it was moved to Bangkok in the 1800s. It was then moved to Wat Traimit in 1935. At Wait Traimit the image sat, hiding its secret for 20 years.
The gold Buddha underneath was discovered because its outer layer was cracked during a fall from a crane mishap when it was being moved in 1955. Today, the statue can be appreciated in all of its golden glory in a newly renovated location, set high atop the four-story marble lined Mondop at Wat Traimit.
Wat Traimit Has More To Offer
While the golden Buddha statue is admittedly the crowning attraction of Wat Traimit, the second floor houses an impressive Bangkok Chinatown Heritage Centre. A museum that tells the history of the Chinese immigrant community who migrated to Thailand, and Bangkok specifically, in search of prosperity.
The third floor houses an exhibition that reveals the history of the Golden Buddha image itself, including its construction, design features, and the story of how it came to be at Wat Traimit.
We found during our visit that both the museum and exhibition were surprisingly well done, interesting, and exceeding expectations.
There are a few smaller buildings to explore at Wat Traimit. One of those is the Ordination Hall, which is opposite of the Mondop.
Inside the Ordination Hall you’ll find Wat Traimit’s principal Buddha image, Phra Puttha Thotsaphonlayan.
This statue is made of stucco and gilded lacquer, it’s not solid gold.
A visit to Wat Traimit makes a good starting or ending point to a tour of Bangkok’s Chinatown area.
Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong train station is also very near to Wat Traimit and Chinatown, and is a great transportation option if you want to travel to other areas of Thailand via railway.
Wat Traimit is open daily from 08:00 to 17:00, but the museum is closed on Mondays.
Admission is 100 baht for the Golden Buddha only and 200 baht for the Golden Buddha, museum, and exhibition.
You can reach Wat Traimit via a short walk from Hua Lamphong MRT Station on the Blue Line.
