Bangkok’s Marble Temple: How to Visit Wat Benchamabophit
If you’ve ever taken a look at the loose change in your pocket after a day of exploring Bangkok, you might recognize this temple without even knowing it. Turn over a 5 THB coin and you’ll see Wat Benchamabophit stamped on the metal. Its nickname, of course, is the Marble Temple - famous for the Italian Carrara marble used on its pillars, facades and stairways. These European elements blend beautifully with the Thai red and gold details, and provide a stunning contrast with the orange roofs.
Not only is it prominent enough to feature on coins but it also acts as inspiration for local creatives. On our visit, we saw a group of university art students with their sketchbooks out in the courtyards, quietly drawing the building. We haven’t seen this at any other temple in Thailand which shows you just how revered it is among Thai people. It’s the symmetry of the main Ordination Hall that catches your eye as you first enter, however, wander around a bit and you’ll realize there’s far more to discover.
Marble Temple, Bangkok
Art students at Wat Benchamabophit
Art students at Wat Benchamabophit
The Story Behind the White Carrara Marble
Back in 1899, King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) ordered the construction of a new royal monastery in the Dusit district, a part of the city rapidly growing at the time. A few years earlier, this king was the first Thai monarch to take a grand tour of Europe where he fell in love with the architecture of Italy. So, with the help of his half-brother, he decided to import Carrara marble for this particular temple to make Bangkok feel more sophisticated.
Stained-glass windows were also installed to match the European marble, while traditional Thai details and roofs were added to give it that East meets West aesthetic. Today, Wat Benchamabophit is considered a first-class royal monastery, with some of the king’s ashes buried under the Buddha statue (a replica of Phra Phuttha Chinnarat) in the Ordination Hall.
Golden Buddha statue
What to See at Wat Benchamabophit
The Ordination Hall (Ubosot), flanked by two guardian lions, is definitely the highlight of Wat Benchamabophit. It’s the first thing you see as you walk through the main gates, and it’s hard not to be impressed by the perfectly symmetrical tiered roofs that cascade down and the gold window frames that stand out magnificently against the white marble. After admiring the Ubosot from the outside, you can head inside the building and pay your respects to the Buddha image sitting majestically against a blue backdrop.
Beyond that, there’s only really the courtyard left to explore. It wraps around the back of the Ubosot like a “U” and is very peaceful: an open space where you can saunter around the cloister gallery and see the 50+ Buddha statues, and take photos of the arched doorways that are decorated with red and gold patterns. As you can probably tell by now, the Marble Temple is small in size, so don’t expect a sprawling complex like Wat Pho. That being said, we almost prefer these intimate temples.
Two guardian lions
Buddha statues in the cloister gallery
Arched doorways
Hours, Entry Fees & Best Time to Visit
We visited Wat Benchamabophit after our flight back from Sukhothai which meant we arrived at 11:00 AM (later than we’d hoped). Although we timed it quite well as the tour buses started to pull up at midday, giving us roughly an hour to soak up the temple without the crowds. Kat’s mum also joined us and it was nice to take her to a temple she’d never seen before, and cool to watch her pray and make merit in an inspired setting.
Obviously, we recommend arriving much earlier than 11:00 AM. Officially, the temple is open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, however we saw signs stating that the outer grounds were open from 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM. It could be worth attempting a sunrise or sunset mission here - the golden hour light hitting the marble is meant to be spectacular. The great thing about the Marble Temple is that the entrance fee is just 100 THB, much cheaper than the Grand Palace (for example) that charges a steep 500 THB per person.
Kat’s mum at the Marble Temple
Peaceful courtyard
How to Get to the Marble Temple
Unfortunately, the Marble Temple isn’t close to any MRT or BTS stations, since it’s located in the Dusit area of Bangkok which is a bit of a blindspot for the city’s rail system. Therefore, the best way to get there is by booking a Grab. If you go bright and early, before 7:00 AM, you’ll beat the worst of the morning rush hour and it shouldn’t be too painful of an experience. Alternatively, you could take the bus from the Old Town or ride the BTS Skytrain to Phaya Thai Station followed by a 10-minute taxi or tuk-tuk.
FAQs About Wat Benchamabophit
What is the dress code for the Marble Temple?
The dress code for Wat Benchamabophit is like most temples in Bangkok: shoulders and knees need to be covered, a rule that technically applies to both men and women. Due to the heat, Cam turned up in shorts that reached the knee and he had no issues getting through the gates. This is risky though as the temple officially recommends modest clothing and may strictly enforce the dress code. Your best bet, as a man, is to wear long trousers or at the very least pack a pair into your bag in case you're asked.
What is the expected etiquette for Wat Benchamabophit?
If you want to capture that perfect shot under the arched doorways, just be sure you’re giving others time to take photos as well. This is our biggest bugbear when traveling around Thailand: tourists who don’t show basic courtesies. Apart from that, just follow the standard etiquette inside a sacred Thai temple. Stay quiet, remove your shoes before entering the main hall and don’t point your feet directly at the Buddha statue.
Marble Temple, Bangkok
Is the Marble Temple better than Wat Pho, Wat Arun & the Grand Palace?
Wat Pho, Wat Arun and the Grand Palace are known as the “Big 3” due to their proximity and the fact they’re undeniably beautiful. However, they’re a victim of their own success in many ways. Forget about having a peaceful experience at 11:00 AM like we did at the Marble Temple. But if you can arrive early enough, there’s something truly special about the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (the Grand Palace). We would say the Marble Temple beats Wat Arun for sure, while the others can either be wonderful or dreadful depending on the crowds.
