About Wat Intharawihan
Wat Intharawihan is a third-class royal Buddhist temple in Bang Khun Phrom, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok. Located on Wisut Kasat Road near the Chao Phraya River, it is best known for Luang Pho To, a 32-meter-high standing Buddha image. Originally built in the early Ayutthaya period as Wat Bang Khun Phrom Nok, the temple was restored in the early Rattanakosin period and is notable for its historic ubosot and revered Buddha image.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a compact, active temple compound centered on the towering 32-meter standing Buddha Luang Pho To, decorated with glass mosaic and gold. The grounds include an ordination hall (ubosot) with traditional Thai architecture, smaller shrines, Buddha images, and courtyard areas for worship and merit-making. The setting is urban and relatively quiet compared to larger palace-area temples, with open paved areas around the main Buddha for viewing and photography.
Key highlights
- 01
Luang Pho To - 32-meter high standing Buddha image, 10 meters wide, decorated with glass mosaics and 24-carat gold
- 02
Historic ubosot (ordination hall) from the Ayutthaya period with later Rattanakosin renovations
- 03
Third-class royal temple status with long history dating to early Ayutthaya period
- 04
Intricate murals and Buddha images inside the ubosot and surrounding shrines
- 05
Relatively uncrowded urban temple near the Chao Phraya River in Bang Khun Phrom
History of Wat Intharawihan
Originally built in the early Ayutthaya period as Wat Bang Khun Phrom Nok, the temple was later restored by Chao Inthawong, son-in-law of King Rama I, and renamed Wat Intharawihan. The principal standing Buddha, Luang Pho To, was commissioned in 1867 during the reign of King Rama IV by Somdet Phra Phutthachan (To Phrommarangsi) and completed in 1927 during the reign of King Rama VII, taking 60 years to build.
Culture & Context
Wat Intharawihan is a third-class royal temple (Wat Ratchaworawihan) and an important center of Theravada Buddhism in Bangkok. Luang Pho To is highly revered by Buddhists for merit-making and worship, believed to bring blessings. The temple reflects Ayutthaya and Rattanakosin architectural traditions and remains an active place of daily religious practice for the local community.