A respectful introduction to Thailand’s most revered temples and shrines — what each one is, where to find it, and how to visit with care. These are living places of worship, not only sights.
Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, remove your shoes where indicated, and keep quiet and calm inside. Never point your feet at a Buddha image or climb on one, and don’t turn your back to it for photos. Women should not touch or hand things directly to a monk. Ask before photographing people at prayer. Opening hours, entry fees and specific rules vary by site and change over time — please confirm on arrival or with the temple.
Full temple etiquette guide →Thailand's most sacred Buddhist temple, within the Grand Palace grounds in Phra Nakhon; home to the revered Emerald Buddha. A strict dress code applies.
Beside the Grand Palace; famous for its enormous gold-leaf reclining Buddha and as a historic home of traditional Thai massage.
On the Thonburi bank of the Chao Phraya River; known for its tall central prang decorated with coloured porcelain.
In Bangkok's Chinatown (Samphanthawong); houses a large Buddha image made of solid gold.
A hilltop temple crowned by a golden chedi, with city views from the climb; the site of an annual temple fair.
A popular Hindu-Brahmin shrine to Brahma at the Ratchaprasong intersection — a shrine rather than a Buddhist temple, visited by people of many faiths.
A revered mountain temple overlooking Chiang Mai, reached by a long naga staircase; its golden chedi is a major pilgrimage site.
In the old city; built around a large partly-ruined 14th–15th-century chedi.
A striking all-white contemporary temple designed by Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, begun in 1997.
In the Ayutthaya Historical Park (a UNESCO World Heritage site); best known for a stone Buddha head entwined in the roots of a tree.
Phuket's most important and most visited Buddhist temple.
A large marble-clad seated Buddha statue on Nakkerd Hill, with sweeping island views.
One of the tallest Buddhist stupas in the world and a historic centre of Buddhism in Thailand.
A curated selection of Thailand’s most widely recognised sacred places — not a complete list. Identities and locations were corroborated against reference sources; last reviewed 2026-07-24. Details such as hours and fees are not listed here because they change — always confirm locally.
This page is a directory of what these places are. Our temple guide goes the other way — one page per temple, province by province, with opening hours, admission, dress code, access and photography rules, and the documented record kept visibly separate from what tradition holds.