Three deities built this temple they say. That’s what Wat Tri Thotsathep Worawihan’s name means. It stands proudly here in Bangkok a testament to faith and perseverance.
Wat Tri Thotsathep Worawihan is a third-grade royal temple. It’s a Worawihan type temple. A prince Prince Witsanunart Nipha Thorn dreamed of building it. He wanted it near his palace. Sadly he died in 1862 before construction began.
King Rama IV his father stepped in. He tasked another prince Prince Mahesuan Siwailat with the project. This prince too met an untimely end in 1867. The temple remained unfinished.
King Rama IV however refused to let his sons’ dreams die. He completed Wat Tri Thotsathep Worawihan himself. The temple became a tribute to three deities the king and his two sons. The temple’s boundary was officially fixed in 1949.
Inside the ordination hall you’ll find remarkable Buddha images. The main Buddha image is in a meditative pose. It’s made of an alloy and was crafted by Prince Phak Phimonphan. Two standing Buddha images flank it. They hold alms bowls. One wears Prince Witsanunart Nipha Thorn’s clothes. The other wears Prince Mahesuan Siwailat’s clothes. King Rama IV commissioned these two statues.
Wat Tri Thotsathep Worawihan isn’t just a beautiful building. It’s a living piece of Thai history. A story of ambition tragedy and unwavering devotion. It reminds us that even in the face of loss. Great works can still be achieved. It remains a place of serenity. A quiet witness to the passage of time. A silent guardian of the memories of three devoted souls.