Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)

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Temples abound in Thailand, particularly in Bangkok, the capital of this deeply Buddhist country. Of the dozens of Bangkok's temples, the most popular and renown for tourists is the Wat Phra Kaew, or the temple of the Emerald Buddha. For the Thais, the Wat Phra Kaew is the most spiritually and historically significant of all temples in all of Thailand

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Situated on the grounds of the spectacular Grand Palace Complex, the Wat Phra Kaew was built in 1782, the same year Bangkok was founded. It is one of more than 100 stunning buildings that make up the magnificent Grand Palace. The Wat Phra Kaew boasts the same intricate architectural details that are typical of Thai temples. However, unlike the typical Thai temple, it is not a monastery, as it does not have any resident monks. Instead, the Wat Phra Kaew serves more like a private chapel for the royal family.

The Wat Phra Kaew is Thailand's most sacred temple. It is also a virtual national treasure trove of priceless Thai artifacts and manuscripts. The most venerated of the Wat Phra Kaew's treasures is a tiny figurine called the Emerald Buddha.

The Wat Phra Kaew was expressly built to enshrine the Emerald Buddha. After King Rama I (1737-1809), captured Vientiane city, he brought the Emerald Buddha back home and commisioned the building of the Wat Phra Kaew to house it. It is, then, a symbol representing Siam's regained nationhood, and an object of national veneration.

The Emerald Buddha was crafted in the 1400s from a single block of green jadite (jasper), emerald. It stands at a mere 45 cm high.

The Emerald Buddha is clad in robes of gold, and actually has three different robes. Three times a year, at the beginning of each season, the Emerald Buddha's robe is changed by the king himself. For the cold season, a solid gold robe, for the hot season, diamond-encrusted gold robe, and for the rainy season, a gilded monk's robe.

The entire Wat Phra Kaew is enclosed within a walled gallery, that bears intricate scenes from the Ramakien epic. The temple's entrance is flanked by two "demons" called yakshas in Thai.

Tourists arrive at the Wat Phra Kaew by the bus-load every day, making it one of the most crowded of Bangkok's tourist attractions.

Keep in mind that long pants are a requirement at the Wat Phra Kaew, and there is an unspoken expectation that you will pay due respect in this most sacred of Thai temples. You are not allowed to take pictures inside the temple.