Wat Traimit - Bangkok's Golden Buddha and Chinatown Gateway

Wat Traimit is one of Bangkok's most famous temples and is best known as the home of the Golden Buddha, one of the largest solid gold Buddha statues in the world.

Located near the entrance to Yaowarat Chinatown, the temple connects Thai Buddhist history with the long history of Bangkok's Chinese community.

The Golden Buddha Discovery

The temple's most famous attraction is Phra Phuttha Maha Suwana Patimakon, a massive solid gold Buddha statue weighing around 5.5 tons.

For many years, the statue was covered in plaster and looked like an ordinary Buddha image. During a relocation in the 20th century, part of the plaster cracked and revealed the gold underneath, leading to one of Bangkok's most famous historical discoveries.

Some historians believe the plaster covering may have helped protect the statue during the final years of Ayutthaya.

Wat Traimit and Yaowarat

Wat Traimit sits near one of the main entrances to Yaowarat, Bangkok's Chinatown.

The area around the temple has long been connected to Chinese merchants, markets, and local communities, making the temple an important cultural landmark between Thai Buddhist traditions and Bangkok's Chinese heritage.

Inside the Temple

The Golden Buddha is housed inside a large multi-level building overlooking parts of Yaowarat and old Bangkok.

Inside the complex, visitors can also explore exhibitions about the history of the Golden Buddha and the development of Bangkok's Chinatown community.

Visitor Information

Wat Traimit is easily accessible from MRT Hua Lamphong, with about a 5 to 10 minute walk to the temple.

Many travelers combine Wat Traimit with Yaowarat, Talat Noi, and other Chinatown landmarks, especially during the evening street food hours.