Wat Arun

The missile-shaped temple that rises from the banks of the Mae Nam Chao Phraya is known as Temple of Dawn and named after the Indian god of dawn, Aruna. It was here that, in the wake of the destruction of Ayuthaya, King Taksin stumbled upon a small local shrine and interpreted the discovery as such an auspicious sign that this should be the site of the new capital of Siam. King Taksin built a palace beside the shrine, which is now part of Navy Headquarters, and a royal temple that housed the Emerald Buddha for 15 years before Taksin was assassinated and the capital moved across the royal river to Bangkok. Wat Arun is directly across from Wat Pho, on the Thonburi side of the river. A lot of people visit the wát on expensive river tours, but it’s dead easy and more rewarding to just jump on the 3B cross-river ferry from Tha Tien. For our money, visiting Wat Arun in the late afternoon is best, with the sun shining from the west lighting up the Ъrahng and the river behind it. If you come earlier, consider taking a stroll away from the river on Th Wang Doem, a quiet tiled street of wooden shophouses. You must wear appropriate clothing to climb on Wat Arun. If you are flashing too much flesh you’ll have to rent a sarong for 20B.