Standing on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, welcoming every dawn and dusk with its radiant glow, the gold splendor of Wat Arun is timeless, unforgettable to those who have witnessed rebirth at this place.
Wat Arun rays beauty and grandeur upon the cityscape of Bangkok, lovely yet majestic, tranquil yet solemn. Towering 81 meters above the river, it stands as a national symbol of Thai spirit and culture. Built from bricks meticulously laid then carved into ornate patterns and geometric motifs of Eastern style, Wat Arun is always clad in a golden halo when morning rays hit its walls. Come nightfall, tender lights adorn the temple, making it all the more dreamlike – a magnificent nostalgia of a lavish homeland told in fairytales.
From the vantage point of Bangkok city, the sight of Wat Arun’s towering silhouette evokes a sense of history flowing through its bricks, witnessing through centuries the rise and fall of the city and change of culture. Famed for its grand construction began by King Rama I in the 18th century, when you see its spires swaying in the wind, you can imagine the rank of artisans building brick by brick what is today an immortal landmark under the king’s directives.
And still Wat Arun stands, watching wisely over each awakening and development of Bangkok. When the sun sets and the temple basks in the glow of clouds on fire, it is as if the gates of heaven open. With its gaze it tells of ancient wisdom: to pray for the people, to look up to the Himalayas. This scene, this moment, this vantage point – only then does one truly see the meaning of Wat Arun.
