Wat Thepthidaram

Wat Thepthidaram on Mahachai Road is across the road from the old Fort Mahakarn community. Rama III built this temple in 1836, another of the many temples he built during his reign. The temple was built in honor of HRH Prince Apsorn Sudathep.

Characteristic of temples built during the Third Reign, the wat has a Thai structure with a distinct Chinese decor. The gables of the buildings are embedded with Chinese porcelain pieces; numerous old Chinese statues can be seen in the temple grounds.

Sunthorn Phu (1786 - 1856) the famous Thai poet, considered the Shakespeare of Thai literature, was ordained as a monk here. Ironically, he lived here after he fell out of favor with King Rama III, over poetry of all things. Sunthorn Phu was honoured for his outstanding cultural works by UNESCO in 1986.

The quarters, where he spent three years of his tumultuous life, are preserved at the rear of the temple compound. Some of his unpublished manuscripts were left in his quarters after his death. But unfortunately these have been destroyed by the humidity and pests

Wat Thepthidaram was declared a national monument by the Fine Arts Department in 1977. In 1986, UNESCO honored Sunthorn Phu for his outstanding cultural contributions, 131 years after his death. He was awarded the title, Great Personality of the World for his contributions to mankind.

Ubosot: This is characteristic King Rama III period architecture influenced by Chinese art. Gable end is decorated with Chinese ceramics; inside is the principal Buddha image, Luang Phor Khao or Phra Buddha Devavilasa.

Wihan: This is in similar style to the ubosot. Inside are images of 43 Bhiksuni - enlightened female disciples - cast in tin alloy.

Prang: Four tall prangs are located at each of the corners of the ubosot, the base of each depicting the four Chinese guardian deities.

Kuti: The monks' residences were built by artisans of King Rama III's reign, with each individual cell or kuti distinctively different.

Decorations in the temple grounds are Chinese stone statues of people and animals such as courtiers seated on the floor.