| The Wat Phra Kaeo is widely regarded as the | | | | colorful motifs. Being Thailand's most sacred |
| most venerated and the most sacred temple in | | | | temple visitors are expected to behave |
| Thailand. It is located within the grounds of | | | | appropriately and also to be dressed |
| the Grand Palace inside Bangkok's historic | | | | appropriately. Inside one can see the tiny |
| district. The main building of the temple | | | | "Emerald Buddha" which stands at a height of |
| houses the renowned emerald Buddha and when | | | | 60 cms, the statue itself is not made of |
| the Thai name of the temple is translated | | | | emerald but rather of jade or jasper. In the |
| into English it literally means "The Temple | | | | interior of the building are murals depicting |
| of the Emerald Buddha." | | | | jataka stories or representations of Buddha's |
| | | | previous births. |
| The Wat Phra Kaeo is part of the Thai Grand | | | | |
| Palace that was built in the year 1782 by | | | | Some of the murals depict Buddha's victory |
| King Rama I who established Bangkok as the | | | | over "Mara" or the "god of death" and the |
| new capital of Thailand. The temple was meant | | | | courtyard that surrounds the temple depicts |
| to house the "Emerald Buddha" which was | | | | the Thai version of the great Indian epic the |
| returned to Thailand after it captured | | | | Ramayana. Knows as Ramakian in Thai it is |
| Vientiane in 1778. According to the | | | | colorfully painted and utilizes the |
| traditions of Thai Buddhism the Emerald | | | | traditional Thai art form. |
| Buddha is the most important representation | | | | |
| of Buddhism and to pray before it is | | | | Situated in Bangkok, which is Thailand's |
| considered a meritorious activity. | | | | premier tourist city a Bangkok hotel that |
| | | | offers comfortable accommodation would not be |
| The temple encompasses over 100 colorful | | | | difficult to find for travelers visiting the |
| buildings that have golden spires and | | | | Wat Phra Kaeo and other Thai attractions. |