Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
วัดอรุณราชวราราม Wat Arun · Bangkok, Thailand (Thonburi, west bank of the Chao Phraya)
A towering prang on the west bank of the Chao Phraya: King Taksin arrived here at dawn, giving the 'Temple of Dawn' its name.
Know before you go
- Don't climb Buddha images or point your feet at them
- don't enter in a vest or shorts
- don't sit on the temple's statues for photos
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
History
King Taksin arrived at dawn
In 1767 Ayutthaya fell to the Burmese army, and the royal capital of more than four centuries was reduced to ruins. The general Taksin, whose father was Teochew Chinese, broke out, rebuilt the army, drove out the Burmese and then founded a new capital at Thonburi on the west bank of the Chao Phraya. Legend says he came down the river and reached this temple at dawn, so he renamed it the 'Temple of Dawn' and vowed to restore it. In the Thonburi period the Emerald Buddha was enshrined here. In 1782 Taksin was overthrown in a coup and executed; Rama I moved the capital to the east bank, and in 1785 the Emerald Buddha was moved into the Grand Palace.
Source: Wikipedia: Wat Arun; Wikipedia: Taksin
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
The temple already existed in the Ayutthaya era. After Ayutthaya fell to the Burmese in 1767, King Taksin (Taksin the Great) founded a new capital at Thonburi; legend says he reached this temple along the river at dawn, renamed it the 'Temple of Dawn' and vowed to restore it. In the Thonburi period the Emerald Buddha was enshrined here until 1785, when it was moved across the river to Wat Phra Kaew in the Grand Palace. Today's Khmer-style central prang was built under Rama II and Rama III, its surface inlaid with coloured porcelain and seashells.
Local customs
- This is a working Buddhist temple: remove your shoes before entering halls, and cover shoulders and knees
- be respectful to monks — women should not touch monks directly
Religion & beliefs
Theravada Buddhist temple, a first-class royal temple.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Drones must be registered in Thailand
- Register with Thailand's National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) within 30 days of arrival or purchase, even if you don't plan to fly
- Bringing in an unregistered drone
Fines of up to THB 100,000 or 5 years in prison, or both.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Thailand travel advice
E-cigarettes are completely illegal in Thailand
- Leave e-cigarettes, pods and e-liquids at home before you travel
- Carrying or using e-cigarettes, pods, e-liquids or heated-tobacco devices
Confiscation, fines (usually THB 5,000–30,000), detention and prosecution; no exceptions for tourists or personal use.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Thailand travel advice
Never insult the Thai royal family
- Treat portraits of the royal family and related topics with respect and care
- Posting or sharing any criticism of, or jokes about, the royal family, online included
The lèse-majesté law is interpreted very broadly and can bring long prison sentences; it applies to past and present members of the royal family.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Thailand travel advice
Don’t DON'T
- Don't climb Buddha images or point your feet at them
- don't enter in a vest or shorts
- don't sit on the temple's statues for photos
Locals appreciate DO
Thais appreciate visitors who dress appropriately and put their palms together quietly before Buddha images.
Plan your visit
Practical info
| Best time | Early morning or dusk |
|---|---|
| Time needed | 1 hour |
Travel tips
- The ferry across the river from the piers by the Grand Palace and Wat Pho is easy
- the prang's silhouette is loveliest seen from the east bank at dusk
- the prang's steps are very steep, so wear non-slip shoes
Photos
Photos
Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0
Don Ramey Logan · CC BY-SA 3.0
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