Wats abound in Thailand, you will find them throughout your village, town or city. As the historical focal point of the community, they will often be the remnant of the locale's small beginnings. Some newer ones are architecturally spectacular, and well worth the side-trip for the visual feast alone. You need to do your research to find the most photogenic - there are some examples here. Just ask around though, the most famous wats are commonly known amongst Thai people, often from news features over time. You can also bet ​that the person recommending one has been ​there at some (probably distant) point in the past, even if they can't remember exactly when and why!

(See separate pages for more images and details about these wats.)

Wat Tham Seua (Tiger Cave), Kanchanaburi

Wat Ban Den, Chiang Mai

Wat Saman Rattanaram, Chacheongsao

Wat Phumin, Nan

Viharn Sien, Pattaya

Wat Khao Tabaek, Chonburi

Wat Pho, Bangkok

Wat Phrathat Pha Sorn Kaew, Petchabun

Bodhagaya Stupa replica at Wat Yansangwararam, Pattaya

Wat Koh Loy, Sriracha

The interior of Wat Neramit below is stupendous. Well worth the detour to the remote location in Loei

Wat Neramit Wipatsana, Loei

Wats in Chiang Mai L to R:  Phrom Thada Ashram; Wat Khuan Khama; Wiang Kum Kam

Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai

Wat Phra That, Doi Suthep

Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan, Chiang Mai

Wat Chai Mongkhon, Chiang Mai

Wat Rong Khun (White Temple), Chiang Rai

Wat Ban Den, Chiang Mai

Wat Umong Suan Phutthatham, Chiang Mai

Phrom Thada Ashram, Chiang Mai

Wat Khao Tabaek in Chonburi Province is a riot of colour - see its separate page.

Wats and shrines in Chanthaburi L to R: San Lak Muang; Suanmamuang; Somdej Prachao Taksin Maharat

Below: Wat Chai Mongkhon, Chiang Mai

Above and Below: Wat Khao Mai Kaeo, Chonburi Province

Below: Wat Suthat Thepwararam, Bangkok.

Below: Wat Khao Pho Thong, Banglamung, Chonburi

Above and Below: Wat Rong Seua Ten (Blue Wat), Chiang Rai.

Above: Nan - Wat Ming Muang, Wat Phrathat Khao Noi, Wat Phumin

Above and Below: Wat Huay Pla Kang, Chiang Rai

Above and Below: Phitsanulok - Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, Wat Nang Phaya, Wat Ratchaburana, Wat Chan Tawan Tok

Above: Suphanburi - Wat Pa Lelai Worawihan, and the illustrated story of Khun Phaen and Khun Chang.

Above: Wat Phai Rong Wua, Suphanburi.

Above and Below: Lampang - The Temple of the Floating Pagodas
(Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat Prachomklao Rachanusorn).

Above: Wat Bowonniwet and Wat Traimit, Bangkok

Bangkok: Above - Wat Saket. Below: Wat Loha Prasat

Above L to R: Wat Devaraj Kunchon, Wat Ratchabophit, Wat Pkanam Phasi Charoen - all Bangkok

Above: Wat Nong Wa Makham Khu, Rayong Province

Above: Wat Roi Phra Phutthabat, Mukdahan and Wat Phra That Phanom, Nakhon Phanom
Below L to R: Wat Phu Tok (Bueng Kan), Wat Marukkha (Nakhon Phanom) and Chai Mongkon Pagoda (Roi Et)

Above:  Chai Mongkon Pagoda (Roi Et)