The Golden Buddha, also known as Phra Sukhothai Traimit, is a statue housed in Wat Traimit, a temple on Charoen Krung Road in the Samphanthawong district of Bangkok. It is a religious image and an archaeological object, and many visitors come to see it as much for its history as for its appearance.
What you will see
The statue is described as the world's largest solid gold Buddha, weighing about 5.5 tons. Its solid gold construction is the feature that sets it apart from most Buddha images, which are made of stone, bronze or wood and only gilded on the surface.
How it was found
The statue was not always known to be gold. It was discovered by accident when the plaster covering that had hidden it was damaged. That discovery turned an ordinary-looking temple image into an object of considerable interest, and it is part of why the statue is regarded as an archaeological treasure as well as a religious one.
Planning your visit
- Location: 661 Charoen Krung Road, Talad Rot Fai, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100.
- Contact: +66 2 225 9775, if you want to check details before you go.
- Setting: Wat Traimit is in the older riverside part of the city, so it pairs naturally with a walk through the surrounding Chinatown streets and the nearby Charoen Krung area.
Allow time to look at the statue slowly and to take in the temple around it. If you are interested in Thai religious art or in how a treasure can stay unnoticed for so long, the Golden Buddha is a worthwhile stop on a Bangkok itinerary.
