Thailand
Who hasn't visited Bangkok without being captivated by the grand Golden Buddha, a famous attraction throughout the Land of Smiles? Discover it at the Wat Traimit.
While passing through Bangkok, most foreign visitors are eager to visit a Buddhist temple. For your next trip to Thailand, we recommend taking a tour of Wat Traimit, next to Hua Lamphong railway station. This unassuming pagoda attracted little attention until the mid-1950s, when the occupants discovered that the idol inside the pagoda was an unusual statue; its layer of stucco and glass concealed solid gold. The Golden Buddha stands at 3 meters tall and weighs an estimated 5.5 tons, making it the largest solid gold sculpture in the world. If you are a history enthusiast, the exhibition on the statue's origins will not disappoint you.
History
From origins to relocation to Ayutthaya
The venerable figurine has come a long way before arriving at the Traimit Temple. Records trace its construction back between the 13th and 16th centuries, during the Sukhothai dynasty. The inscription on the Ram Khamhaeng stone tablet attests to this, suggesting that the Buddha occupied the center of the old city. Some fragments of the statue may have been cast in India, experts believe, given that Sukhothai art shares several similarities with Indian art and that original golden Buddhas from India were once exported to various countries.
In 1403, the figurine changed its refuge, leaving Sukhothai for the emerging kingdom of Ayutthaya.
Bangkok
Subsequently, the statue was relocated to Bangkok in the context of urban restructuring when, in 1801, Rama I ordered the retrieval of ancient Buddha images kept in dilapidated temples. The restructuring policy was continued by Rama III. Thus, during the development of the Chayo Praya River, the old Wat Chotanaram temple was condemned to be destroyed. However, the statue of the Golden Buddha was there, although at that time it was coated with pieces of stucco embedded with glass. This plastering dates back to the first half of the 18th century, just before the city of Ayutthaya fell to the Burmese. It was a trompe-l'oeil technique to prevent looters from stealing the precious treasure. Authorities decided to transfer the statue to the nearby Wat Traimit Wittayaram temple. As the temple did not yet have buildings large enough to house the statue, it was displayed outside under a tin roof.
How the monks uncovered the solid gold of the statue
May 25, 1955, marks a significant date in the history of Thai Buddhism: the monks inaugurated the brand-new viharn where the statue would rest. When hoisting the Buddha out of its pedestal, one of the crane cables snapped, and the figurine fell heavily to the ground. Religious leaders, seeing an ominous sign in this accident, deserted the premises with the workers. That night, heavy rain fell on the site, and much of the temple was submerged underwater.
At dawn, an official made a remarkable discovery when he returned to where the Buddha had collapsed and began to remove the mud: a gleaming metal appeared in a crack. A careful investigation was immediately conducted, and the result was not long in coming: beneath the plaster coating, there was indeed solid gold. Soon, this surprising news spread throughout the capital. Based on the fact that the discovery closely preceded the celebration of the 2500th anniversary of Buddha's death, the media dubbed the event a miracle.
Description of the statue
While the legend surrounding the statue and the unveiling of its identity enthrall travelers, nothing beats firsthand recognition. With its life-size height of 3 meters, the Golden Buddha sits majestically at the back of the prayer hall. The ovoid shape of the head is characteristic of Sukhothai art. The earlobes are wide open, and the finely drawn eyebrows perfectly complement the aquiline nose. The Buddha is seated on a pedestal in the traditional Bhumisparshamudra posture, with legs crossed and the right hand touching the ground. This posture expresses the serenity of one who is at peace with oneself and has achieved total control over earthly desires. In the neck region, sculptors have depicted three wrinkles to mark the Buddha's princely title from an earlier time. The broad shoulders and upright torso also attest to his noble lineage.
The gold of the statue weighs 18 carats, for a total value of 250 million dollars, according to market rates. The upper part is cast entirely in pure gold, especially the hair and the topknot. The head and chin are composed of 80% gold, and the lower part is 40% gold.
What else to see at Wat Traimit?
While the temple's tourist appeal mainly lies in the Grand Buddha, other attractions await the visitor.
The Bangkok Chinatown Heritage Center Museum
Take a moment to wander through the "Chinatown Bangkok Heritage Center" museum, located in an annex of the sanctuary. Study the history of the early Chinese immigrants in the capital. The museum showcases high-quality photos, videos, and models.
Historical exhibition
In addition to the museum, you can enjoy the exhibition related to the history of the Golden Buddha, from its manufacture during the Sukhothai dynasty to the discovery of its secret identity and the acquisition of the title "world's most colossal gold statue."
How to get there?
The Wat Traimit temple enjoys easy access; you will find it just steps away from Hua Lamphong railway station in Bangkok's Chinatown district. The fastest way to get there is by metro (MRT). Alternatively, you can take public buses. Hop on lines 5, 7, or 507; all three pass through this destination. The more discerning might hail a taxi.
Hours and prices
The temple is open to visitors daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The entrance fee is 40 baht per person.
To access the museum, you will need to pay an additional 100 baht. The museum is closed every Monday.
Dress code
Tourists are requested to choose appropriate attire for visiting the temple. Light clothing such as shorts, skirts, and tank tops is not welcome. If you plan to visit the top floor of the museum, note that wearing sunglasses and headgear is not allowed.
