Wat Thepthidaram, Bangkok

Built in 1836 by King Rama III as a royal tribute to one of his wives, Wat Thepthidaram arrived with a bit of cultural flair. At the time, Bangkok had a serious fascination with all things Chinese, and the temple was clearly in on the trend. Keep an eye out for gables decorated with Chinese porcelain and a scattering of statues that look like they’ve quietly traveled a long way to be here—and decided to stay.

Inside the main compound, the layout keeps things neatly symmetrical: the ordination hall, or ubosot, takes center stage, flanked by two wiharns, or prayer halls. Around them, a walled courtyard anchors the scene, with corn cob-shaped prangs standing guard at each corner. Right in the middle sits a rather unusual Buddha image, carved from snow-white stone and placed on a golden, boat-shaped altar. The northern hall tends to stay closed, keeping its gilded window frames a bit of a mystery, while the southern hall opens up to a cluster of small chedis and another well-revered Buddha image.

But architecture isn’t the only reason people remember this place. The temple is closely tied to Sunthorn Phu, widely regarded as Thailand’s literary giant—often compared to Shakespeare. He spent three years here as a monk, trading ink for introspection. UNESCO later recognized his cultural impact in 1986, naming him a “Great Personality of the World.” Not all of his legacy survived intact, though; some manuscripts left behind in the temple fell victim to humidity and time—a quiet reminder that preservation isn’t always guaranteed...

In 2006, the poet's former living quarters at the rear of the complex were turned into a small museum, aptly called the “House of the Great Poet,” with the help from Silpakorn University. It’s a modest space, but one that keeps his story alive. And yes, the temple itself shows signs of wear these days—but if anything, that only adds to its character. Indeed, this isn’t a polished postcard version of Bangkok, but something a bit more real, a bit more lived-in—and well worth your time.