Home › Diving › Thailand Guides › Central › Bangkok › Temples
As you would expect of the capital city, Bangkok is home to some of the finest and most important Wats in Thailand, housing many noted Buddha images.
There are other faiths represented in this country, but here - Bangkok - we have the seat of Buddhism and as a result, many of the country's most important Buddha images within the Wats.
As well as being places of worship and teaching of the Buddhist ways, the Temples are of course home to the many monks that are an integral part of Thai life.
They hold many important cultural positions, and much of Thai normal life centres around the Buddhist teachings.
The Temples of Bangkok - and other parts of the Kingdom - are also seats of learning - not only for Buddhism, but also the varied lifestyles associated with that core way of life.
Most young men in Thailand are expected to take part in Wat life for a period, and this can range from a few days, or weeks and months, sometimes developing into a lifelong calling.
Many of the Bangkok Wats or Temples are quite inviting to tourists. So much so that one could be forgiven for forgetting that they are primarily for Buddhist worship.
With that in mind, however garish a temple might seem, ensure that you are suitably clothed for such.
Some of the Temples will make it quite clear that visitors are expected to be properly attired. Casual is fine, but not beachwear or bare chests.
Some Temples will have slip-over robes if you have inappropriate shorts or short-sleeved vests etc. Men are usually expected to wear shorts that are below knee length with shirts that are preferably long sleeved, though a decent T-shirt is acceptable most times.
Ladies will be expected to have longish dresses or skirts, and certainly not above the knee line. A modest top will also be expected, such as a long sleeved blouse or shirt.
Other than that, the taking off of shoes will be required to enter certain parts of the Temple - particularly the parts of the temple where prayer and worship is normal. There will be signs to this effect.
Most temples are quite relaxed about photography, but there will be some restrictions. Respect and decorum is the byword when deciding whether or not to photograph where people are kneeling in worship.
Again, most are relaxed about this aspect of photography, but err on the side of respect at all times.