Wat Phra Kaeo (also called Wat Phra Kaew) is the holiest Buddhist temple in Thailand and the spiritual heart of the country. It is located on the grounds of the Grand Palace and without a visit, the Royal Palace would be an architectural backdrop.

Most people come for the Emerald Buddha. But few people know how special a place it really is for Thailand.

👉 For handy information on admission fees, opening times and transport, check out the Grand Palace guide.

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Emerald Buddha: small statue, huge symbol

The statue is only 79 cm tall and is not made of emerald, but of green jasper. Yet it is the most revered Buddhist artefact in the country.

Legend has it that it was made in India more than two thousand years ago. Historical records date back to the 15th century, when it was moved to Chiang Mai. It then travelled to Laos and back to Siam before King Rama I placed it in the newly built Bangkok in 1784.

Three times a year the statue's robes are changed by the Thai king himself or his representative. This ceremony symbolically marks the change of season.

The Emerald Buddha is on display in the main temple building, where access is free to all.

Photos of the Emerald Buddha from the outside

What not to miss on the temple grounds

Wat Phra Kaeo is not just the main temple building.

🟡 Golden Pagoda (Phra Si Rattana Chedi)

One of the most striking buildings of the complex, covered in golden tiles. Buddhist relics are stored inside.

🎨 Ramakien murals

A huge set of murals depicting the Thai version of the epic Ramayana. Detailed scenes encircle the entire inner perimeter of the temple complex.

🏯 Model of Angkor Wat

A miniature of the famous Cambodian temple Angkor Wat. If you're planning a trip to Cambodia, you'll see just a taste of what's to come.

Wat Phra Kaeo

Model of Angkor Wat

The atmosphere and reality of the visit

Wat Phra Kaew is at once:

a deeply spiritual place
an extremely touristic place

Thousands of visitors a day flock here in high season. The silence you'd expect from a sacred temple is not often found here.

It is necessary to take off your clothes before entering, and appropriate attire, i.e. long pants and draped shoulders, is strictly controlled. No photography is allowed inside the temple, but you can take a picture of the Emerald Buddha from the outside with a large zoom lens.

Grand Palace, queue for the Temple of the Emerald Buddha

How to experience the visit differently

If you don't want to just "pass and tick", give it a try:

come right after the opening
stop by the murals and spend more than a few minutes with them
feel the contrast between spiritual meaning and tourist reality

Combined with Wat Pho and a cruise on the Chao Phraya River, a visit to the historic centre makes much more sense than as an isolated agenda item.

For planning a full day, I recommend our Bangkok in 3 days itinerary.

Entrance fees and opening hours

Open daily from 8:30am-4:30pm (last entry at 3:30pm).

Ticket price is 500 thb and can be paid by credit card. Admission includes a visit to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Royal Palace grounds and the Queen Sirikit Textile Museum.

Official website: royalgrandpalace.th/en

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Is a separate visit to Wat Phra Kaeo worth it?

Honestly, Wat Phra Kaeo is not a place you can visit on your own. It is an integral part of the Grand Palace and the ticket is shared.

However, it is the part of the complex that has the most symbolic value. If you are interested in Thai history, monarchy and religious symbolism, it is the most important part of the whole complex.