Wat Traimit

At one end of Chinatown, stands the unremarkable temple of Wat Traimit. However, it holds a most remarkable statue of Buddha, made from solid gold and weighing five and a half tons. The staue is a 15-foot tall seated image of Buddha.

Cast sometime in the 13th century, the golden Buddha is an excellent example of the Sukhothai style that is still very much in favor today. In an attempt to hide the valuable icon from invaders, the statue was covered in plaster. The disguise was so good that everyone apparently forgot about what was hidden beneath. King Rama III had the statue moved to Bangkok and installed in a temple near the Oriental Hotelof today. That temple fell into disuse and was completely abandoned around 1931.

It was moved to its present location at Wat Traimit in 1955. The true nature of the Golden Buddha was discovered When some of the plaster chiped off while the image was being prepared for its move. Today it sits in a plain building just barely big enough to hold it within the temple compound.

Wat Traimit is located just off Odeon traffic circle near the symbolic Chinese gate marking the entrance to Chinatown. The temple makes an excellent start or end to a Chinatown tour. The Ratchawong Pier of the Chaophraya River Express Boat service is close to the temple.

The temple is also a very short distance from Hualamphong railway station, with its many food courts and easy transportation access.

Admission to the temple is 20 Baht.