The Buddhist temple Wat Paknam Phasi Chaoren, shortened to "Wat Paknam", can be found on the very western edge of Bangkok away from the main tourist streams.
Located in a beautiful quiet area filled with water canals, we think it's one of the most beautiful temples in the entire city. As of 2021, it also boasts the tallest Buddha statue in Bangkok and one of the largest in Thailand.
Wat Pak Nam dates from the Ayutthaya period and was built around 1610, but has been significantly rebuilt and expanded several times over the centuries. The temple ranks among the largest and most prosperous in all of Thailand.
It is known for its numerous charity projects and the Wat Paknam monk community has wide international contacts across the Buddhist world.
The largest Buddha statue in Bangkok
In 2017, construction began on a huge statue of the seated Buddha in an outdoor area, which was inaugurated in 2021.
The bronze statue reaches a height of 64 metres, making it the largest Buddha statue in Bangkok (it exceeds the length of the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho Temple by 18 metres).
The statue can be seen from many locations throughout western Bangkok and, with good visibility, can be seen from skyscrapers and elevated locations in modern downtown Bangkok.
Stupa with emerald model
Along with the glowing bronze Buddha statue, the temple is dominated by a white 5-storey stupa rising to a height of 80 metres. It was completed in 2012 and only since then has Wat Paknam attracted the attention of foreign tourists.
The stupa is open to the public and we definitely recommend climbing up to the top floor. In addition to the view of the back of the bronze Buddha statue, here you will come across a beautifully decorated vault with a large dark green emerald model of the stupa.
Admission and opening hours
Paknam Temple is open every day from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Admission is free.
You can move around in all parts of the temple and there is free entry to the main 80 meter high stupa as well. Just be aware that you need to take off your clothes and keep your shoulders and knees covered for all the indoor areas.
You can also visit the restaurant or the nice clean toilets in the Wat Paknam area.
Transportation to Wat Paknam
The temple is relatively easy to reach by public transport.
The nearest metro station of the Bang Phai blue line is 10 minutes walk / 800 meters (see the walking route map on google.com/maps) through a quiet residential area with several shops and restaurants.
The temple can also be reached from the centre and Si Lom locality by bus line 4, but this almost completely follows the blue metro line.
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