The Marble Temple (Wat Benchamabophit)


Prince Narisaranuwatiwongse built Wat Benchamabophit, the Marble Temple, at the turn of the century from white Carrara marble. The main Buddha image, a copy of Phitsanulok's Phra Phuttha Chinnarat, contains the ashes of King Rama V. The temple gallery exhibits 53 Buddha images representing the various iconographic styles from around the country. Early morning is a good time to visit the Marble Temple when the Buddhist monks are chanting inside the chapel. The monks receive alms at the temple between 6.00 and 7.00 am instead of the usual practice of going out to receive alms.

Located on the corner of Si Ayutthaya and Rama V Roads near Chitralada Palace, the Marble Temple is open until 5.00 pm with a 10 baht admission charge.