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If your travel to Bangkok, you won't be able to see all the attractions. For visits of four or five days, include Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace along with Wat Po, Wat Arun, the National Museum, Erawan Shrine, Vimanmek Teak Mansion and a river or canal trip. (Wat is the Thai Term meaning Religious Complex or Temple.)
 The Emerald Buddha (Phra Putta Maha Mani Ratana Patimakorn / Phra Kaew Morakot): One of Thailand's most revered temples, Wat Pra Kaeo is located inside the grounds of the Grand Palace. This Royal temple contains an exquisite Emerald Buddha which dates back to around the 15th century.
No one is allowed near the Buddha which is raised high on a series of platforms, except H.M. King. A seasonal cloak, changed three times a year to correspond to the summer, winter, and rainy season covers the statue. A very important ritual, the changing of the robes is performed only by the King to bring good fortune to the country during each season. The temple is beautifully decorated and has a great sense of peace about it.
Wat Pho / Chetupon Temple (Thai Massage Center) : This large and extensive temple neighbours the Grand Palace on Thai Wang Road and houses the very impressive gigantic gold plated reclining Buddha which is some 46 metres long and 15 metres high. Its soles are inlaid with mother of pearl. The temple is regarded as the first centre of public education and is sometimes call Thailand's first university. Once inside this complex you can't help to wonder what is the purpose of all these buildings. There are many reason behind that. Come and find out for yourself.
Wat Suwannaram or Ratchaworawihan Temple : During the reign of King Taksin, this temple was where Burmese prisoners of war from Bang Kaew Camp were executed. It was founded in the Ayur ,aya period and was initially called Wat Thong. It was dismantled and rebuilt during the resto ations made in the reign of King Rama I, and the king renamed it Wat Suwannaram. It was restored again during the reign of King Rama III. It was formerly the site of Royal Cremation Ground for members of the Royal family and high-ranking officers, and was used for this purpose until the reign of King Rama V
Wat Arunratchawararam : The prang of Wat Arun on the bank of Ch Phraya River is one of Bangkok 's world-famous landmarks. From a French map of Thonburi made in the reign of King Narai it can be seen that the temple existed when Ayutthaya was Siam 's capital. The temple was formerly known as Wat Makok, and when King Taksin built his palace, he ordered the temple to be annexed to it. The king restored it and renamed it "Wat Jaeng". It was restored again by King Rama II, and renamed "Wat Arunratchatharam". King Rama IV later changed the name to "Wat Arunratchawararam"
Wat Saket and Golden Mount : Wat Saket is an undistinguished temple except for the Golden Mount or Phu Khao Thong, on the west side of the grounds. The steep climb up the Golden Mount puts everything back in perspective and offers views over Rattanakosin Island that are simply stunning. The artificial hill was created when a large Chedi under construction by King Rama III collapsed because the soft soil beneath would not support it. The resulting mud-and-brick hill was left to sprout weeds until King Rama IV built a small Chedi on its crest.
King Rama V later added to the structure and housed a Buddha relic from India in the Chedi. The concrete walls were added during World War II to prevent the hill from eroding. Every November a large festival, held on the ground of Wat Saket, includes a candlelight procession up the Golden Mount.
Wat Suthat is on Bamrung Muang Road and is famous for the excellent murals created in the reign of King Rama III. The Wihara (preaching hall) should be seen for its collection of gilded Buddha images. A huge door with intricate carving, which is the masterpiece of King Rama II, once belonged to this temple and is now kept in the National Museum. In front of the temple is the Giant Swing or Sao Ching Cha, where a Brahmanic ceremony had taken place until the early 20th century. Many nearby shops stock a very comprehensive range of Buddhist religious supplies.
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