Temple in Thailand

Wat Saket

Wat Saket is an undistinguished temple except for the Golden Mount (Phu Khao Thong) on the western side of the grounds,which provides a good view out over Bangkok's rooftops. This artificial hill was created when a large chedi under construction by Rama III collapsed because the soft soil beneath would not support it. The resulting mud-and-brick hill was left to sprout weeds until Rama IV built a small chedi on its crest.

King Chulalongkorn later added to the structure and housed a Buddha relic from India (given to him by the British government) in the chedi.

The concrete walls were added during WWII to prevent the hill from eroding. Every year in November there is a big festival on the grounds of Wat Saket, which includes a candle-lit procession up the Golden Mount.



Admission to Wat Saket is free except for the final approach to the summit of the Golden Mount, which costs 5B. The temple is on Th Worachak within walking distance of the Democracy Monument; air-con bus Nos 37 pass nearby.

Wat Thai @ 7:50 PM