Wat Thepthidaram

Like the Loha Prasat, Wat Thepthidaram was begun by Rama III, but the temple is in a very different style from the Wat next door. The decoration of Wat Thepthidaram is very Chinese in style, with bits of porcelain decorating the gables. All things Chinese were very popular in Rama III's time.

The temple was built in 1836 to honor one of Rama III's queens. The main compound consists of the ordination hall (ubosot) flanked by two prayer halls (wiharn). The ubosot sits in a walled courtyard with corn-cob shaped towers called prangs at each corner. Inside is a rather unusual Buddha image carved from a snow-white stone. The image sits on a magnificent golden boat-shaped alter very similar to the shape of traditional royal thrones.

The prayer hall to the north of the ordination hall is generally closed, but the gilded window frames are interesting. The south wiharn is surrounded by several small pagodas (chedi) and houses another much-venerated Buddha image. This building was recently restored.