Situated on the edge of Bangkok’s vibrant Chinatown district, Wat Traimit is home to one of the world’s most extraordinary religious artifacts—the Golden Buddha. Officially known as Wat Traimit Wittayaram Worawihan, this Theravada Buddhist temple is just a five-minute walk from Hua Lamphong MRT Station and only steps away from the lively Yaowarat Road. Situated near Bangkok’s historic commercial and immigrant hub, Wat Traimit also serves as a symbolic bridge between Thai and Chinese communities, hosting religious and cultural events that draw both locals and international visitors. The temple was originally known as Wat Sam Chin, or “Temple of the Three Chinese,” believed to have been founded in the early 19th century by three Chinese friends during the reign of King Rama III. Following renovations in the 1930s, the temple was renamed Wat Traimit Wittayaram in 1940, with Traimit symbolizing "three friends." At the time, it remained a humble, little-known community temple—until 1935, when it received a large, unassuming stucco-covered Buddha statue from a neglected temple downstream along the Chao Phraya River, setting the stage for a remarkable rediscovery decades later.
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| This majestic Wat Traimit is nestled at the edge of Bangkok's Chinatown area of Yaowarat |
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| This grand white marble shrine houses the world's largest Golden Buddha statue |
For nearly two centuries, the Golden Buddha remained hidden beneath a thick layer of stucco, decorated with small pieces of colored glass. As its true form had been forgotten, the statue was kept in a modest temple, its origins shrouded in mystery. Based on its stylistic features, experts believe the statue was crafted during the 13th–14th century in the Sukhothai period, a time when Buddhist art was strongly influenced by Indian aesthetics. It is thought to have been moved from Sukhothai to Ayutthaya in the early 15th century. Before the fall of Ayutthaya to Burmese forces in 1767, the statue was completely encased in stucco—likely to conceal its value and protect it from looting. It remained untouched and was eventually relocated to Bangkok after the city became the new capital under King Rama I. The statue served as the principal Buddha image at Wat Phraya Krai (later Wat Chotanaram), until the temple was abandoned. Today, the former temple site has been transformed into one of Bangkok’s modern attractions—Asiatique The Riverfront. In 1935, the statue was transferred once more, this time to its current home at Wat Traimit.
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| 5.5 tons of solid gold in elegant Sukhothai style image, seated in the Maravijaya pose |
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| Once covered in stucco for centuries, its golden form was only revealed by accident in 1955 |
While awaiting the construction of a hall large enough to enshrine it, the statue was kept in a modest tin-roofed shed for nearly two decades. On 25 May 1955, during an attempt to relocate the statue to a newly built viharn (assembly hall), an accident occurred — the ropes gave way, and the statue was dropped. To the astonishment of the monks and workers, the fall cracked open the outer layer of stucco, revealing a gleaming golden surface beneath. Upon careful removal of the plaster, it was discovered that the statue was composed of several interlocking parts made entirely of solid gold. The revelation stunned the nation and became headline news, widely covered by newspapers and radio. Many Buddhists interpreted the timing as a miraculous sign, as it coincided with preparations for the 2500th anniversary of the Buddha's Parinirvana, according to the Buddhist Era (B.E.) calendar — a lunar calendar that begins from the year of the Buddha’s passing. The statue stands 3 meters tall, is 3.10 meters wide, and weighs approximately 5.5 tonnes, earning it the Guinness World Record as the largest solid gold statue in the world. The Golden Buddha is depicted in the Maravijaya Attitude — the Buddha seated cross-legged, with his right hand gently touching the earth and his left hand resting in his lap. This posture symbolizes the moment of the Buddha’s enlightenment, when he called the Earth to witness his triumph over Mara, the demon of illusion and temptation. It represents steadfastness, victory over obstacles, and the attainment of ultimate truth.
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| This mural in the museum shows the royal inauguration of Wat Traimit's new mondop in 2010 |
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| Detailed dioramas in the Heritage Center illustrate the rich history of Bangkok’s Chinatown community |
In 2010, a grand structure made of pristine white marble was completed to enshrine the Golden Buddha, officially named Phra Phuttha Maha Suwanna Patimakon. Apart from housing the Golden Buddha on its top floor, the new building at Wat Traimit also features two museum spaces below. On the third floor, visitors can explore the Wat Traimit Museum, which narrates the fascinating story and historical photos of the Golden Buddha from its mysterious origins and centuries-long concealment to its rediscovery in 1955. One of the most intriguing exhibits is a fragment of the original stucco covering, which once concealed the solid gold beneath, a tangible reminder of the statue’s long-hidden past. Meanwhile, the second floor is home to the Yaowarat Chinatown Heritage Center, offering a rich overview of the history, migration, and cultural contributions of the Chinese-Thai community in Bangkok’s Chinatown. As you enter the building, don’t miss the ornate steel mural panels lining the entrance corridor — these intricately crafted artworks depict episodes from Buddhist and Chinese-Thai historical traditions, setting the tone for the cultural journey that awaits inside.
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| The intricate steel mural panels which surround the shrine illustrate legendary scenes with stunning craftsmanship |
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| Guarded by mythical lions and royal tribute, the grand staircase leads up to the marble mondop of Wat Traimit |
The inauguration ceremony of the new
mondop (shrine hall) and museum complex was held on 14 February 2010 and it was presided over by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn (now King Rama X) on behalf of his father. In the same year, the temple's status was elevated to a second-class royal temple (
warowihan), further cementing its cultural and spiritual significance in the heart of Bangkok. Telling the story of Wat Traimit and its remarkable Golden Buddha brings back personal memories—especially of my late father, who once took me on a family trip to Bangkok when I was ten, along with my grandparents. I remember him telling me the tale of a Buddha statue covered in clay, hiding pure gold within, though at the time we hadn’t had the chance to visit the temple ourselves. While he was not quite as introverted as I am, I now realize that my love for traveling, exploring unfamiliar places, and uncovering the stories behind them is something I likely inherited from him. In a way, walking through Wat Traimit felt like walking through a memory—one I now finally get to see with my own eyes.
Wat Traimit Witthayaram Worawihan
วัดไตรมิตรวิทยาราม วรวิหาร
Location 661 Charoen Krung Road, Samphanthawong District, Bangkok, Thailand
Opening Hours
Daily, 08.00 AM to 05.00 PM
Admission Fee
Foreigner - 100 Baht
Thai - Free
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