Bangkok - Wat Suthat

Wat Suthat, better known for the towering red Giant Swing that stands at its entrance, is one of the oldest and most impressive temples in Bangkok. It features an elegant chapel with sweeping roof, magnificent wall murals and exquisite hand-carved teakwood door panels.

The temple’s construction was commissioned by King Rama I (1782-1809), to shelter the 13th Century bronze Buddha image transported by boat from Sukhotai, but it was finally completed during King Rama III’s reign (1824-51). Located in the Old City area, just east of the Royal Field, you can easily combine a visit to Wat Suthat with Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Grand Palace and Wat Pho.

Wat Suthat is perhaps more famous for the Giant Swing than its impressive interior architecture, which is a must-see after the splendour of nearby Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew. The cloistered courtyard, surrounding the main chapel, boasts 156 Buddha images along the outer walls and four entry gates individually hand-carved with intricate details.

The wall frescoes inside the main chapel, detailing the previous 24 incarnations of the Buddha, employed the Western painting technique with perspective science, which is unique to this temple. Lining the outer walls are Chinese stone sculptures and eight-tier hexagonal pagodas, believed to have been shipped as ballast with the Chinese trade junks.

Standing at 21.15 metres, between Wat Suthat and Bangkok City Hall, the Giant Swing’s two towering red pillars and elaborately carved crossbar are unmistakable from afar. After undergoing several renovations, the original Giant Swing, dating from 1784, was replaced in 2004 with a new one crafted entirely from golden teak. The construction of the new swing was a complex process of hand-carving, paint undercoating and coating by master craftsmen and involved numerous parties from civil engineers to the Forestry Department to Brahmin priests.

Location
You can take a cab from Chinatown or Wat Hua Lumphong

Address:  Bamrung Muang Road, Old City (Rattanakosin), opposite Bangkok City Hall

Recommendation *****

Giant Swing

From here you can go on foot to many other temples

On the right after you exit from the main entrance of Wat Suthat,
there are shops selling everything you need to set up an altar.
This is where I got my Relics holder as well as the Big bucha that I
donated to Wat Phra Yaynang

They do ship to Singapore, easily arranged thru shipper

Revisited in Feb 2016

A visit back here in time for the big blessing ceremony that is held once a year during the Chinese New Year period.  

August 2017