Wat Benchamabophit

Affectionately called Wat Ben for short, this highly regarded wat is also known as the Marble Temple. The luxurious ordination hall is meticulously crafted from marble imported all the way from Italy during the late 1800s. Constructed under the leadership of Rama V, the temple serves as a merging of Western and Eastern design influences. With its traditional Thai aesthetic fused with European palatial flair, it’s no surprise that the temple is featured on one side of the 5 Baht coin in Thai currency today.
Other points of interest include intricate wall paintings that appear as stained-glass, royal-esque red carpets, and a striking Buddha figure made in Sukhothai style. The grounds are equally opulent, replete with charming foot-bridges, lotus-filled canals, and over 50 different Buddha images throughout. Wat Ben is often thought of as one of Thailand’s most gorgeous temples for its immaculate design and picturesque surroundings. If you get there by about 6:30am, you might be able to see locals lining up to make merit by giving donations, like rice, to the monks.