YOU ARE WELCOME TO THAILAND: WAT RATCHABOPHIT SATHITMAHASIMARAM

When any King of Siam ascends the throne. by traditional way. he has to build his royal temple to confirm the all Kings is the first upholder the faith.

- Wat Phrachethupon Wimonmongklaram is royal temple of the King Rama I.

- Wat Arunratchawararam is royal temple of the King Rama II.

- Wat Ratchaorasaram is royal temple of the King Rama III.

- Wat Ratchaphradit Sathitmahasimaram is royal temple of the King Rama IV.

- Wat Ratchabophit Sathitmahasimaram is royal temple of the King Rama V.

There is a confusing about that Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram is royal temple of the King Rama V because it was a very fine constructed, moreover the king Rama V purposes that when he passes away. his bone will be placed under the base of Phra Buddhachinnarat, the principle Buddha image of this Ubosot(Main chapel). However. as his royal command, building Wat Ratchabopit is clearly indicated as royal temple of royal tradition.

This temple is the first class of royal temple in Dhammayuth of Ratchaworavihan. This previous location was palace of Somdej Phraboromwongthur Kromluangbodindhorn Paisansophol. The major role of this temple is the royal temple of the king Rama V and the king Rama VII which was only place of Rattanakosin period being one royal temple for two thrones. As the royal history stated that.

The King Rama V built this temple on January 22, 1869 and finished in 1870. Phra Worawongthur Phraongchao Phraditworakan, son of Krommeun Narongharirak (Momchao Dit, the prince of the king Rama I), the director general of the government call Krom Chang Sib Moo and Phra Worawongthur Krommaluang Sappasatsuppakit(Prince Tam Tavalayawong) were the chief directors of building this temple. And also Chao Phraya Dhammathikoranathipbodi(Pum Malakul) was the chief director of restoring in 1900. It had mixing between Thai and Europe architectures that its outside was real Thai. its inside was western style imitating two temple. Wat Phrapatom Chedi and Wat Ratchaphradit Sathitmahasimaram, was royal temple of the King Rama IV.

And next it was named as Wat Ratchabophit Sathitmahasimaram, Ratchabophit means the temple has been done by King. Sathitmahasimaram means the temple which has the big sema in sema Dhammachak picture located at the eight directions of wall. Hence, when making and Buddhist activities, it can do in everywhere of the big sema area.

Building this temple. the King Rama V followed the ancient temple that was constructing the big Chedi as the major place of this temple which surrounding by gallery. Ubosot, phra vihan and vihan in many directions. All has wall among religious area, residential area of the monk and royal ceremonial area.

The big Chedi is Ceylonese stupa located on the top Taksin base in the line with the roof of balustrade which decorated with the mosaic design in the five primary colors called "Theppanom" Also it has an aech for housing the Buddha images in many attitudes. And the cast Buddha images of Phrachao Boromwongthur Kromluang Shinnavorn Siriwat and the supreme patriarch totally 14 archs.

In walking area and the middle of chedi. it places the Buddha image of Phra Buddhanakprok, lopburi period which carving from sandstone 2 images. As the myth, it was found under Takien tree located at Klong lod with belief whoever desires to have a baby. one comes to ask for, then they will get all. And also many Buddha images inside chedi walls which has six cavities for housing the Buddha image. The royal bones are contained on the top of chedi.

The outside of Ubosot is the real Thai arts decorated with the mosaic in the five primary colors design in Theppanom picture, ordered from China. Also building Phra Ubosot and Phra Vihan is same direction of Phra Patom Chedi decorated with Cho-fa, Bi raka and Hang Hong. Also the gable is adorned with gilt stucco in seven heads elephant upholding the crown on high tray. pressing with tiers holding with Ratchasi and Kotchasi. The gable of Muk Dej is the Naral on Garuda, At the wall between the cavity, it has the insignia and the letter "Jor" and it has the symbol of the King Rama V on above the middle gate.

The gate and window inside is decorated with pearl in Sukhothai design(Pum Kao Bin) which is honors design 5 ranks as Nopparat Ratchavaraporn, Mahachakri Borommaratchawong, Pathamaporn Changphuek and Pathamaporn Mongkut Thai.

Inside of Phra Ubosot is very fine Gothic architecture. placing the principle Buddha image called Phra Buddhaaungkiros which is gold Buddha image, in Man Vichai attitude in Rattanakosin period.

The history to building the Phra Buddhaaungkiros, Somdej Chao Phraya Dhamrong Rachanuphap said:

It was founded by The King Rama V when constructing Wat Ratchabophit but the supreme patriarch Kromluang Shinnavorn Siriwat wroted that it was cast in the reign of king Rama IV but casting in the royal ceremony.

This Buddha image was cast by 80 % gold weighted 108 baht which it come from the King Rama V's apparel since he was young, and the white umbrella of the stated is for baring the King Rama V's relics which the King Rama VI brought to Phra Buddhaaungkiros.

The supreme Patriarch, Kromluang Shinnavorn Siriwat. the abbot of Wat Ratchabopit contained the royal ashes in under the base of Phra Buddhaaungkiros. comprising of the ashes of the king Rama II - the king Rama V and Phrasri Sulalai, and his royal family members as Krom Phraya Sudarattana Ratchaphrayun etc.

Phra vihan is in the southern part of Chedi, having same design with the ubosot. Its west side is closed to Klong Lod. The King Rama V built the royal cemetery and monument to contain the royal body of royal families such as the monument of Rangsi Wattana which contains the body and ash of the Prince Chao Fha Mahavachirunnahit. prince of the King Rama V. The Somdej Phra Phanvatsa Aiyikachao and his princes and princesses including Somdej Phramahittalathibeth Adullayadej Vikrom, his father and Phra Srinakkarin Boromratchonnani.

Wat Ratchabophit was huge restored in the reign of King Rama VII, so when he passed away and inviting his incinerary remain back to Thailand. The Thai government invited it to contain under the Principle Buddha image. After containing the dead body of Somdej Phranangchao Rampaipannee, her majesty the queen of the King Rama VII as well.

If walking around this temple. it has the Pueng shrine which is tool for wearing apparel once proceeding for Kathin or drum tower and belfry which was built as two tier roofs with twelve indents. Its top is decorated by crown with the five primary colors.

How to get there : located in Bangkok Catch non air-conditioned bus no. 2 or 60 and ask the bus-moneykeeper you want to go there