The most notable feature about the wat is the 32m tall golden Buddha. You can see it if you approach from the river (near Rama VIII bridge), or by road. The wat itself dates from the Ayutthaya period when it was called Wat Rai Phrick (vegetable fields wat). At that time the locale became known as ‘Lao Village’, being home to exiled Lao royal family members. The Buddha statue came later and took some 60 years to construct (1867-1927) It is made of brick and stucco but was refurbished in 1982 with golden Italian mosaic tiles. Inside the ubosot are colourful murals depicting everyday life in times gone by.

Below: Gold gilded window frames.