Wat Pathum Wanaram; a peaceful Buddhist temple in the heart of Bangkok. Commonly known among local people as 'Wat Sa Pathum', Wat Pathum Wanaram was built in 1857 during the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV), who intended to use this temple as a resort outsite the capital in those days. The construction site was situated at the Phaya Thai field on the bank of Bang Kapi Canal. The site had been a low-lying area with stagnant water.
Chinese workers were employed to dredge two ponds in the area and connect them. The pond to the north was called Sa Nai (inner pond), which was restricted to the King and female courtiers. The other one, to the south, was called Sa Nok (outer pond), on which the King allowed officials and commoners to row their boats for pleasure. Various species of lotus, such as waterlily and Hindu lotus, were brought in to be planted in both ponds. During the rainy season, lotus in these ponds is seen in full bloom.
A royal residence and houses of royal consorts, as well as various buildings and kitchens, were constructed in the area near the ponds. Later, the King named this area Pathum Wan and called his residence here 'Sa Pathum Palace'.
Moreover, King Mongkut also built a temple on the western part of Sa Nok as a tribute to his queen, Somdet Phra Thepsirinthra. He named this temple 'Wat Pathum Wanaram', but local villagers have called it 'Wat Sa Pathum'. Whenever the King moved to stay at Sa Pathum Palace, he usually invited monks from this temple to travel by boat to receive alms in the pond area.
Superb murals in the viharn of this temple were the works of craftsmen in the Fourth Reign and they have been kept in good condition. Because of these valuable murals and the special significance of the temple, Wat Pathum Wanaram attracts a great number of Thai and foreign tourists who continue to come in order to appreciate both Dhamma and the beauty of this Buddhist structure.
Wat Pathum Wanaram is located on Rama 1 Road in Pathum Wan district, between Siam Paragon and Central World shopping complexes. It is regarded as a haven of serenity for those who are seeking peace for their life amid the noisy and busy city of Bangkok.
