Wat Aroon, the temple of dawn, is one of the three must-see temples in Bangkok , and can easily be combined with Wat Pho and Wat Phra Kaew (in the Grand Palace complex). It is one of Bangkok's best know landmark and stands on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River in Thon Buri. Wat Aroon is best seen from the opposite bank of the river; it glistens in the sunlight during the day and stands dark and noble at dawn or dusk.

          Wat Aroon, the official name being Wat Aroon Ratchawararam, is an old temple that was built in the period of Ayutthaya and originally known as "Wat Makok". When Thonburi was the capital, the temple was claimed as the royal temple and its name were changed to "Wat Chaeng", means temple of the bright morning.

           Later in Rattanakosin era, the construction of the tall prang and four smaller ones was started by King Rama II  (1809-1824)  and completed by King Rama III (1824-1851). The towers are supported by rows of demos and monkeys. Very steep and narrow steps lead to a balcony high on the central tower. The circumference of the base of the structure is 234 meters, and the central prang is 250 foot high. And the temple name was change to "Wat Aroon Ratchwararam".

The main elements of the temple are as follows:

1. Phra Prang

2. Ubosot

3. Rabiang Kot

4. Wihara

1. Phra Prang

          This is the most important monument in the temple. King Rama II considered that the original prang which was 16 meters height should be reconstructed as the glory of the city, but he passed away shortly after the beginning the task. King Rama III completed the structure and crowned it with a multi-pronged bronze pinnacle. He died before the edifice could be dedicated. This task was performed by Rama IV.

It is 81 meters high and is surrounded by smaller prangs and mondops on each side and in between. The Phra Buddha Prang, as the great central tower is called, has three circumambulatory galleries running around it, which can be reached by climbing any one of the four very steep staircases. Above each staircase there is a niche with a figure of Indra on his three-headed elephant.

Climbing so many stairs to reach the upper storey of the temple and enjoy the view over there is truely worth.

The Prangs were design in accordance with the Buddhist cosmology, with the main structure as the Sumeru Mount, the epicenter of the Universe, surrounded by four prangs on the four cardinal directions.

2. Ubosot

          The ritual hall built during the time of King Rama II was in the late Ayutthaya style. Later the structure became elongated, similar to the style of King Rama I, with redented pillars. They bear elongated lotus capitals lacquered and gilt. The bases of the pillar are raised on platforms.

           Ubosot was built of brick and mortar with roof of wooden beams and ceremic tiles. The gable board is gilded and decorated with glass mosaic. The walls between the windows bear murals of the ten previous lives of the Buddha. Above the windows on the northern side, the mural paintings are from the life of the Buddha.

           In front of the hall is a throne between the two doors. The throne is of very decoratively carved wood-work, gilded and decorated with glass mosaic. Two demon guadians stand in front of Ubosot; the white one called Sahassa Decha and the green one Thosakan ( or Ravana), both of which are of stucco decorated with shards of coloured ceramics. They are similar to the demons in the temple of the Emerald Buddha.

3. Rabiang Kot (The Gallery)

          The Gallery was built around the Ubosot during the time of King Ram II, of brick and mortar with roof of ceramic tiles. There are rows of Buddha images insides the gallery in the style of Subduing Mara which date from King Rama II's period. The portals on four sides are very pleasingly designed. Pillars are topped with gilded lotuses. Between the pillars and the body of the building there are stone images made by Chinese artists. They were brought from China as balast in trading junks..

4. Wihara

          This is an original Thonburi period hall, reconstructed in the time of Rama II. King Rama II ordered the decoration of the outer walls with ceramic tiles in falling floral pattern. There are two significant Buddha images inside this hall; the main image cast in copper contains a relic of the Buddha in its breast; the smaller bronze placed in front of the first was brought from Vientiane in A.D. 1858.

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