Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)

2 min readFeb 28, 2022

Wat Arun in Brief

Wat Arun means the Temple of Dawn. Wat in Thai language means Temple and Arun (A-Rune) means dawn. It is the landmark of Bangkok.

Basic Information
Suggested Duration: 1 Hour
Opening Hour: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: Bangkok Yai District, Bangkok
Tel: 02 891 2185 / watarunoffice@gmail.com

How to go to Wat Arun ?

Simply go to Tha Tien pier, pay 4 baht for the river boat. Ride the boat, it going to take you to Thonburi side.

When you arrive another side of the river, you going to see Wat Arun right on your left.

MRT
Travel by subway drops at Sanam Chai MRT station.
You can either walk 600 meters or take a taxi to Tha Tien pier.

Bus
Travel by buses drop at Tha Tien pier.
Bus routes: take buses number 1, 123, 25,32, 44, 47 and then walk to Tha Tien pier.

History

Bangkok is an old city founded in Ayutthaya period. When King Taksin choose Bangkok as a new Capital of Siamese Kingdom to replace former captial city Ayutthaya. He named his new capital Thonburi.

King Thaksin chose to build his palace next to Wat Makok, the original name of Wat Arun.

In Siamese tradition, the king of Siam would build a temple inside the palace area. So, Wat Arun is King Thaksin’s palace temple.

King Thaksin returned from war in Ayutthaya. He and his army arrived at Wat Makok at dawn. So, he named the temple “Wat Chaeng” meaning the Temple of Dawn.

The name of the temple changed to “Wat Arun” during Chakri dynasty, still meaning the Temple of Dawn.

Wat Arun we see today is the result of major renovation occurred during King Rama III.

Rating: 10/10

(It is a place you need to visit in Thailand)

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Travel Around Bangkok and Wat Arun with a Driver