Biggest Golden Buddha Statue in Bangkok

The Biggest Golden Buddha in Bangkok is located at Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen which is in the Thon Buri area of Bangkok, located west of the Chao Phraya River, on the opposite side to the main tourist areas of Bangkok. Thon Buri was originally the National Capital of Thailand before they moved it to the other side of the river.

I was staying in the lower Sukhumvit tourist area, at Soi 13 Sukhumvit and hired a car and driver for the day to go see a number of different temples. The Big Buddha was the first place we visited. We left my hotel – the Hyatt Regency Sukhumvit and the car drive to the Big Buddha took around 25 minutes. This traffic was very quiet in Bangkok, so it may take longer when the traffic is busy.

Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen is one of the oldest temples in Bangkok, dating back to 1610, even before the Thon Buri are was the national capital (1767 to 1782). The Big Buddha is a very recent additional to the temple, with construction completed in 2021.The construction starting in 2017 so took around 4 years to complete at a cost of 100,000,000 Thai Baht (around US$2.2M).

The Big Buddha is 69 meters tall (226 feet). There are taller Buddha statues in Thailand but this is the tallest in Bangkok.

This temple is a real local worshipping site. Not many tourists visit here and it is usually packed full of local Thai. For all temples in Thailand, you need to show respect for the local worshippers. You need to cover your legs with long pants or you can wrap a sarong around. No singlets or tops that show off your shoulders.

As it is a local temple and not a tourist attraction, there are no signs or information about the temple in English. There are signs up explaining the history but these are only in Thai language.

When on this side of the river there are 2 other great temples right next to the Chao Phraya River that are worth visiting. Wat Arun is one of the best temples in Bangkok to visit. And just a few hundred meters down the road from Wat Arun is Wat Kalayanamitr Varamahavihara with a large sitting Golden Buddha which is quite impressive.

Getting to the Big Buddha in Bangkok

A drive from the central Bangkok area of Sukhumvit should take less than 30 minutes. A taxi to there will cost around 120 Baht. It may be best to get the taxi driver to wait for you as it may be hard to get a taxi once you leave the temple. If you want to take your time, then best to walk away from the temple into the main part of Thon Buri where you should be able to get a taxi on the street.

You can get public transport close to the Big Buddha. The closest BTS train station is Wutthakat on the Silom line which crosses over the river. The station is 1.4km walk, around 20 minutes walk or you should be able to get a motorbike taxi at the station to drop you at the temple for 10 or 20 Baht.

Check out the location of the Big Buddha in Bangkok