Wat Po, the oldest Buddhist temple in Bangkok

Among the locals known as “the source of traditional wisdom”, the Wat Po temple in Bangkok has officially been recognised by UNESCO.

The ancient Buddhist temple, which features the famed statue of the huge reclining Buddha and housing the internationally-acclaimed Thai massage school, has recently been registered at a UNESCO meeting, which took place in Australia, as a Memory of the World Programme showpiece under the World Heritage Memory Net.

Wat Po in Bangkok

The temple’s official long name in Thai language is “Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklaram Raywaramaravihahn” is blessed with ancient wisdom such as written history about traditional medicines, Thai yoga and massage techniques along with important Buddhist scriptures. Much of this is depicted in the statues’ shapes and murals. Recently on the last day of March, the birthday of King Rama III, UNESCO officials presented the title’s citation to abbot, Phra Panyabodeeh.

UNESCO World Heritage Centre

This religious structure is one of the Thai capital’s oldest temples and houses over 1,000 images of the Lord Buddha. Weera Royphoyanarat, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Culture, welcomed the temple’s recognition and announced new traffic regulation plans to be imposed at the environment surrounding the temple. This way he hopes to achieve that taxi drivers and tourist bus chauffeurs will park their vehicles properly.

Guide to temples in Bangkok