About Wat Niwet Thammaprawat
Wat Niwet Thammaprawat is a Buddhist royal temple located on an island in the Chao Phraya River opposite Bang Pa-in Palace in Bang Len, Bang Pa-in District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. Built in 1878 during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) and designed by Italian architect Joachim Grassi in Gothic Revival style, it resembles a Christian church with stained glass, pointed arches and a spire, making it architecturally unique among Thai temples.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a Gothic Revival-style Buddhist temple set on a small river island opposite Bang Pa-in Palace. Access is via a cable car across the Chao Phraya River. Inside the grounds are a church-like ordination hall with pointed arches, stained-glass windows depicting Buddhist motifs, a bell tower, manicured gardens, and statues of King Rama V. The compound is quiet, landscaped, and explored on foot.
Key highlights
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Gothic Revival ordination hall designed to resemble a Christian church with spire and pointed arches
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Stained-glass windows depicting Buddhist imagery instead of traditional Thai murals
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Cable car crossing over the Chao Phraya River to reach the island temple
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First-class royal temple built for Bang Pa-in Palace during King Rama V's reign
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