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Wat Pho Bang O

Wat Pho Bang O

Wat Pho Bang O is a charming old temple dating from the Ayutthaya period. Visitors can arrive by boat, disembarking at the temple’s pier and walking for approximately 200 meters to get to the compound. Although it is currently in poor condition, it is being renovated by the Fine Arts Department.The historic temple has been renovated once previously, during the reign of King Rama III, by Prince SeniBorirak (the founder of the prestigious Seniwong family). Its chapel is a twin of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha’s chapel, with pillars that point in the same direction, as a way of maintaining “balance”. The upper part of the chapel is ornamented with wooden carvings of Chinese patterns. Moreover, each corner of the chapel is surrounded by pagodas or stupas, and the door frames are decorated with beautiful sculptures made from sugarcane cement. To get there by boat, take the Tha Chang-Bangkok Noi-Bang Yai ferry from Chang Pier from 6.30 am-11.00 pm, which leaves every 30 minutes. The best time for the visitors to ride the ferry is from 8.30 am-3.30 pm. By car, from Phra Nang Klao Bridge, turn left to Bang Kruai for 17 kilometers. At Bang Bua Thong junction, turn right to Nonthaburi District Office at WatChalo, and continue driving for 500 metres. Wat Bang O can be found on the right. The temple is open daily from 8.00 am-5.00 pm.