The Phra Ubosot or Ordination Hall at Wat Suthat is a huge building behind the royal chapel and many people regards it as the largest religious location for such purpose in Thailand today. Externally, the roofs design of this structure are elevated in levels (four upper layers, and 3 lower layer) which is typical of a traditional Thai architectural style. The temple information guide indicates King Rama III commissioned construction of this Ubosot to supplement the Royal Chapel was completed in 1834. It measures approx. 72.25 meters in height, 22.60 meters in width and requires a total of 68 huge rectangular pillars to support the hefty weight of the roof structures above. It has an eastern gable decorated with the sun motif and a western gable decorated with the portrayal of the moon. The roof is covered with green glazed ceramic tiles with borders using alternate yellow colored tiles to give its distinctive outlines. Internally, the focal point of the Ordination Hall is the primary Buddha Statue of Phra Buddha Trilokachet which takes the center stage of the hall. Unlike the Phra Sri Sakayamuni which was a produce of else where, moved and enshrined there. The Phra Buddha Trilokachet was being casted as an original work during the reign of King Rama III. The dimension of the lap span of this huge Buddha image measures slightly over 5 meters in width and at 8.45 metres in height, it actually measures higher than the Phra Sri Sakayamuni. The Phra Buddha Trilokachet image also has a classic seated Buddha style (Thai Buddhist refers it as "Marn Vichai" style that signifies victory of Lord Buddha over the demons). The Statue is placed on top of a elevated levels with basement lap span heavily and tastefully decorated in glittering gold, gem stones and many mosaic with delicate details. At the front of this bronze cast Buddha Statue, there are around 80 statues designed as Buddha disciples or attendants as you may like to refer them as, in positions portraying postures like listening to the Buddha's sermon. The primary Phra Buddha Trilokachet Buddha was cast upon request of the King Rama III and eventually named it Trilokachet by the next Thai King Rama IV. The 80 deciples of Lord Buddha (Thai termed as "Phra Asiti Mahasawok", were built by the command of King Rama IV as in replacement of Phra Sri Sartsada, which was moved to Wat Borwornniweth Vihara nearby. According to the literature, the making of these statues were personally supervised by King Rama IV who personally decided the dimension of these 80 statues in relation to the main Buddha image. The Phra Buddha Trilokachet is arguably being regarded as the largest among all those Bronze cast Buddha statues in Thailand. On the inner walls of the ubosot are Buddhism theme mural paintings depicting the life of the Lord Buddha Gautama, his teaching, stories and legends. The interior decor, ambience, lighting, openness inside here with adjacent Phra Buddha Trilokachet Buddha facing entrance of the structure is breath taking. In fact, many Thai has regarded it as one of the most beautiful Buddhist theme ordination hall in Thailand and certainly you should not miss this particular spot while preparing your tour to this magnificent Buddhist temple. These two images are official photos published by the temple. My camera was downed with weak batteries and these help to illustrate the scale of the Phra Buddha Trilokachet.

Another highlight of Wat Suthat is a Buddha Statue Phra Buddha Sethamuni image which locates at the Preaching Hall (You can refer to the Map of Wat Suthat supplied in this site for the specific location). According to legend, during the reign of King Rama III, he had ordered total elimination of opium trade in his kingdom. The opium containers from the confiscated commodity were part of the primary materials used in the casting of this Buddha image. The image measures 0.75 metres width and was cast in 1839 A.D. There are other interests in Wat Suthat such as Bell Tower, bas-relief which measures 2.40 metres in height and 2.59 metres in width and is considered to be a very valuable historical and artistic treasure, and probably with a history dates back from the 6th or 7th century A.D. Another important structure in the Wat Suthat complex is the Sata Mahasathan where the King Rama III had ordered the construction because Wat Suthat has no chedi as with other traditional Thai Buddhist temples.

Personally, the mural paintings found at both the Royal Chapel as well as those inside the Ordination Hall are of exquisite beauty, it relays a wealth of Buddhist philosophy, artistry, and craftsmanship. Some of the murals were restored with funding from the German Government back in the 1980 to preserve these original art works which are considered to be cultural heritage of Thailand. With a long lists of the many original structures, designs and artifacts found in Wat Suthat, it is like a centre for Buddhist study and dissemination and it serves as a a living monument for the Buddhist education. Unlike many other temples in Thailand, Wat Suthat is opened to the public at quite a long hours from 8.30 a.m.. - 9.00 p.m daily where it is meant to serve needs of community. Further, the temple does not imposed entrance fees which is a rare treat for foreign tourists like me.

For those who are more inclined to interest of amulet collecting, I have compiled some basic information for you to refer at the next two pages as those are quite graphic intensive.

previous | NEXT | 4/6

Index Page | Page One | Page Two | Page Three |
| Page Four- version history of amulets from Wat Suthat -part I | Page Five - version history of Phra Kring from Wat Suthat |

Back to Main Index Pages of
Thai Buddhist Amulets Section | Interesting Buddhist Landmarks in Asia

Message Board for Questions and Answers

HOME - Photography in Malaysia

This is NOT an Official Site of Wat Suthat but rather, it serves as a visual journal and double itself as an introduction to this lovely sacred site. The creator of this site has no relationship or whatsoever with the Temple and/or its management. Wat Suthat has an Official Website on their own and any information contain herein in correctness of content should be referring to the content appeared in their OFFICIAL SITE.

Terms of Use:- Depending on individual expectation or usage, photos contained herein may not be regarded as great pictures to some but they are personal visual collection compiled over years on this specific subject. IF you want to use any of the images contained herein for personal use, educational purposes and/or promotional works for our country; by all means USE THEM ! Although a credit is welcomed, but it is NOT entirely necessary. A link to Official Site of Wat Suthat (in Thai) is always encouraged . But, If you intend to use and/or attempt to alter original form on any of the images published in this site for commercial applications, just mail our editors at www.IMAGES.com.my or www.NATURE.com.my to clarify detailed terms of usage (there are plenty other higher resolution images not published for private viewing). All or part of the said fees from such possible sale collected will be donated to our pet project: Khatulistiwa@Malaysia Project.

Copyright © 1998~2007. leofoo® MIR Web Development Team

Credit: To all the good people who have contributed their own experience, resources or those who are kind enough in granting us the permission to use their images that appeared on this site. For materials, I have used some scanned images of the winning entries compiled under the "Dictionary of Buddha's Small Images" - which is my inspiration and provides wealth of information to version history. Note: Certain content and images appeared on this site were taken by using a Canon PowerShot Pro-1 digital camera. Some materials appeared on this site were scanned from some leaflets, brochures or publications published by Wat Suthat and/or contribution from surfers who claimed originality of their work for educational purposes. The creator of the site will not be responsible for any discrepancies that may arise from such dispute except rectifying.