Wat Benchamabophit Religious Site

Address: Wat Benchamabophit Dusit Wanaram, Dusit District, Bangkok, Thailand

Website: https://www.watbenchamabophit.com (official site)

Hours: Daily 8:00am-5:00pm (verify local times during festivals)

Admission: Adult admission typically around 50-100 THB for foreign visitors; lower rates or free entry for Thai nationals may apply. (Confirm current pricing on the temple’s visitor information.)

Wat Benchamabophit, commonly called the Marble Temple, is a major Buddhist temple in Bangkok notable for its exterior cladding of Italian marble and its early 20th-century construction. It is one of Bangkok’s best known modern temples and an active place of worship.

The temple complex centers on the ubosot - the ordination hall - which contains a principal Buddha image and traditional ornamentation. A polished marble cloister surrounds the hall and is lined with a large collection of Buddha statues from different regions of Thailand.

Built under royal patronage in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the temple was designed by Prince Narisara Nuvadtivongs and completed during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). It combines traditional Thai temple layouts with modern materials, notably white Carrara-type marble.

Wat Benchamabophit is located in Bangkok’s historic Dusit district, north of the city centre and near the royal Dusit Palace complex. It is easily reached from central Bangkok by road and short urban trips.

• Construction: Constructed around the turn of the 20th century using Italian marble for external finishing and designed under royal patronage.
• Visitor tip: Respectful dress is required inside the temple precincts and many visitors time visits for the quieter morning hours.

What to See#

• Ubosot (ordination hall): The ordination hall (ubosot) that forms the temple’s main interior space and houses an important Buddha image used for worship.
• Cloister and Buddha gallery: A marble-lined cloister surrounding the ubosot that displays a collection of Buddha images from across Thailand and provides a covered walkway for visitors.

Wat Benchamabophit is in Bangkok’s Dusit District. From central Bangkok, take a taxi or use public transit to the nearby Sanam Chai (MRT Blue Line) or Phra Arthit (boat on the Chao Phraya) and walk or take a short tuk-tuk ride. The temple is a short distance from major government buildings and Dusit Palace.

• Visit in the early morning to see monks in routine and to avoid the tour buses that arrive later in the day.
• Respect local dress codes at the temple: shoulders and knees should be covered; remove shoes when entering interior temple buildings.
• Bring a small amount of cash for incense or meritorious offerings - there is a local etiquette for donations.