Wat Rakhang

An ancient temple located in Thonburi next to the Chao Phraya River, Wat Rakhang was originally built in the Ayutthaya period. It earned its name - meaning temple bell - during the reign of King Rama I, when a bell was found in the temple compound.

Later, King Rama II had this moved to Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), sending five new ones in its place. These can be found in the pretty Hor Rakhang, or bell tower, which is built in the four-gable style of Ayutthaya and early Rattanokosin periods and located in the corner of the temple compound.

Not far from this is an elegant Ho Trai, or library, considered an outstanding example of Thai architecture. Once the residence of King Rama I before his ascendance to the throne, its three adjoining buildings today function as a small museum, housing beautiful scriptures stored in lacquer and guilt cabinets. An elaborately decorated Ubosot, or ordination hall, features murals by Phra Wanwadwichit, a well-known artist of the King Rama VI era.