Ibis Styles Bangkok Silom - 3 stars hotel - Wat Pho

Wat Pho is one of the most famous tourist destinations that everyone who comes to Thailand must visit at least once. Due to its long history and a lot of beautiful buildings for exploration & many adventures await. Hence, today we would like to tell you about the history of Wat Pho. The things you must see when visiting, how to get there, and the dress code you must follow. Also, how much does it cost to finally find a perfect place to stay near the temple that you don’t want to miss out on?

 

The History of Wat Pho

 

 

Wat Pho, has the official name the official name being Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan, is one of the oldest temples in Thailand, and is also home to the country’s most important school of medicine and traditional massage. Researchers believe that it existed since Thailand was still in the Ayutthaya Kingdom when King Narai the Great reigned. (around the 17th century)

But as time went by, Thailand changed from the Ayutthaya Kingdom to the Rattanakosin Kingdom. As the first king in his reign, King Rama I ordered the rebuilding of the complex temple on an earlier temple site. So it has become his main temple and is where some of his ashes are enshrined. Later, King Rama III decided to renovate this temple. As a result, it became a landmark and one of the most visited Bangkok attractions that we see today.

 

Things you must see when visiting Wat Phra Chetuphon

 

In Wat Pho, there is a lot of interesting architecture and sculptures for exploring and taking pictures, such as

• Reclining Buddha: This represents the entry of Buddha into Nirvana and the end of all reincarnations. The figure is 15 m high and 46 m long, and it is one of the largest Buddha statues in Thailand.

• Phra Ubosot: One of the most sacred buildings of the complex, its main purpose was to perform Buddhist rituals. Inside the Ubosot, you will see a Buddha made of a gold-copper alloy. And over the statue is a nine-tiered umbrella representing the authority of Thailand.

• Bodhi tree: It is believed to have grown from the actual tree that Buddha sat under during meditation.

• Chedis: These temples have the most chedis in Thailand, so you can feel free to take a photo of them and admire their beauty.

• Yak Wat Pho: Positioned at the gateway to the Phra Mondop in Wat Pho are distinctive giant statues, referred to as Yak Wat Pho. Their appearance is based on the giants described in Ramayana literature, characterized by their red and green club colors.

• Thai Massage: When you come to Thailand, one of the most popular activities to do is to relax with a massage. Here, Wat Pho provides a traditional Thai massage that is quite different from that at other places.

 

Location and How to Reach Wat Pho

 

 

Wat Chetuphon is located on Rattanakosin Island, directly south of the Grand Palace in the Phra Nakhon District of Bangkok. For tourists who want to visit the temple, you can choose from a variety of ways to travel according to your convenience. Such as,

Private transport

• Private car: If you rent a car, you can drive it and park it on Chetuphon Road; it will cost you 20 baht per hour.

• Call Grab, Tuk Tuk, or Taxi: The fastest way and most convenient choice to travel in Bangkok. The cost is determined by the distance between you and your destination.

Public transport

• Chao Phraya Ferry: If you happen to visit the Chao Phraya River, one of the best ways to get to the temple is to go by ferry. It will cost you around 15-50 Baht, depending on where you get in and what your distance is.

• Bangkok Bus: There are a lot of buses that can get you to the temple, such as bus numbers 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 25, 32, 44, 47, 48, 53, and 82. You can find more information about the route through online channels.

• BTS Skytrain: The closest BTS stations to Wat Pho are BTS Siam and National Stadium. When you are there, you can find a taxi or take bus numbers 25, 48, or 508 to take you to the temple.

• MRT Underground Train: The newest and easiest way to go to the temple via public transportation. When you are on the MRT, buy a ticket to Sanam Chai Station and use exit number 1. From there, you can walk to the temple directly in 5 minutes.

For more information, you can contact (+66-2226-0335).

 

When should you go to the temple?

 

The temple is open every day from 8:00 am to 8:30 pm. If you want to avoid people and take a good picture, we recommend you go there in the morning. Because in the afternoon, this place will be packed with tourists from around the world.

But before you go in, consider that this is one of the most well-known and respected temples in Thailand. Therefore, there are many rules for you to acknowledge before going there, such as

• Entry fee: If you’re a Thai citizen, there is no entrance fee, but as a foreigner, you have to pay 300 baht (around 9 USD) to go in.

• Dress code: There is a rule that you must wear appropriate clothing before you go in. That means don’t wear clothes that expose your shoulders, such as tank tops. And if you wear pants or skirts, they should be above your knees.

• Shoes: At the temple, you will be asked to remove your shoes before entering important sites and will be given a plastic bag to put your shoes in that you can carry around the complex. Thus, we recommend you wear comfortable, easy-to-remove shoes when visiting the temple.

• Photo: This temple has no restriction zone, so feel free to take anything you want as long as it is appropriate.

*For the dress rule, if you don’t have clothing that meets the requirements, there will be a coverall for you to rent near the entrance.

 

The best place to stay near Wat Pho

 

If you didn’t know, the Thai government has strict rules forbidding high-rise buildings on Rattanakosin Island. So even though there are many places for you to visit on the island, there are only a few good places for you to stay. Most of the hotels and hostels on the island are quite old.

So, if you want to spend quality time relaxing and making the most of your vacation. We recommend you find a hotel outside the island, but it shouldn’t be too far from your desired destination. For a simple reason, Bangkok is known for having a lot of traffic jams, so you should avoid it.

But there is one ideal location that meets the above requirements, which is ibis Styles Bangkok Silom. This is one of the most stylish hotels in Bangkok because the hotel is new, affordable, and located in the heart of the city.

Additionally, the hotel is also near BTS Saladaeng and MRT Silom, making it a convenient option for traveling to Bangkok attractions. Hence, if you stay at the hotel, you can travel around Bangkok quite easily. Especially when you need to visit Wat Pho, you can travel via MRT, bus, or taxi. All these methods will not take more than 20 minutes of your time.

Book your stay online directly via the ALL Accor website to receive the special discount and various types of benefits.

 

FAQs about Wat Pho

Q: What are the main highlights to see at Wat Pho?

A: Besides housing Thailand’s famous national school of traditional medicine and massage, the top attractions include:

• The Reclining Buddha: A massive 46-meter-long and 15-meter-high golden statue representing Buddha’s entry into Nirvana.

• Phra Ubosot: The sacred main ordination hall featuring a gold-copper alloy Buddha image.

• The Chedis: Wat Pho contains the highest concentration of chedis (stupas) in Thailand.

• Yak Wat Pho: The colorful guardian giant statues positioned at the temple gateways.

Q: What are the operating hours and best times to visit?

A: Wat Pho is open every day from 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM. To avoid heavy crowds and secure great photographs, it is recommended to visit early in the morning, as afternoons tend to be packed with international tourists.

Q: What is the entrance fee for Wat Pho?

A: Thai Citizens: Free admission; Foreigners: 300 Thai Baht (approximately 9 USD) per person.

Q: What is the dress code required to enter the temple?

A: As a highly respected sacred Buddhist site, visitors must dress appropriately:

• Shoulders and knees must be covered:  Avoid wearing tank tops or clothes that expose your shoulders. Pants and skirts should fall below the knees.

• Footwear: You will be required to remove your shoes before entering important buildings (a small plastic bag is provided to carry your shoes around). Comfortable, slip-on shoes are recommended. (Note: Rental coveralls are available near the entrance if your outfit does not meet requirements.)

Q: How can I travel from Ibis Styles Bangkok Silom to Wat Pho?

A: Getting to Wat Pho from Ibis Styles Bangkok Silom takes under 20 minutes using several convenient options:

• MRT Underground (Recommended): Take the MRT from Silom Station to Sanam Chai Station, use Exit 1, and enjoy a brief 5-minute walk straight to the temple.

• Taxi, Tuk-Tuk, or Ride-Hailing Apps (Grab): A direct, convenient ride depending on Bangkok traffic.Public Bus: Several bus lines (such as numbers 25, 48, or 508) serve the route near the temple area.