Bangkok’s iconic Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn, will reopen at the end of this year.
It has been closed for three years for extensive repairs and renovations, including work on other structures within the temple compound.
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Yuthasak Supasorn stated that the temple’s most significant repairs used cutting-edge restoration technology.
These efforts were part of the comprehensive renovation work at Wat Arun.
The importance of this work and that of Wat Arun to Thailand’s history, culture, and tourism industry cannot be understated.
“It used to be the home of the Emerald Buddha and, over the years, has become one of the most visited tourist sites in all of Thailand.
The competition of the renovation and official reopening celebration in December this year is the source of great pride to all Thai people,” he said.
Wat Arun, Bangkok, Thailand
Features of Temple of Dawn Bangkok
The main feature of Wat Arun is the 66.8-meter-high pagoda decorated with seashells and bits of Chinese porcelain that glimmer in the sunshine.
Under direction from Thailand’s Fine Arts Department, Wat Arun started renovation over three years ago, individually to secure its majestic pagoda base.
King Taksin the Great in 1768 initially envisioned it after fighting his way out of Ayutthaya when he arrived at this Buddhist temple just as dawn was breaking.
He ordered the temple’s first renovation and renamed it Wat Chaeng, the Temple of Dawn.
A 10-day-long celebration of the completion of Wat Arun’s renovations will take place at the end of this year from 27 December through to 5 January 2018.
The festivities will include a tribute to King Taksin the Great, who ordered the temple’s restoration during his reign, along with ancient cultural and Thai dance performances.
The exhibition will showcase the temple’s rich history and its significance in Thai society.
It will feature award-winning photos of Wat Arun, including some of the earliest images dating back to 1865.
Beautiful temple!
When I was in Bangkok it was under construction though 🙁
Thanks for reading!