Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen: How I Visited the Big Buddha in Bangkok

I finally made it inside the stunning Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen, a temple located in the Phasi Charoen district of Bangkok. You might know this place better as the Big Buddha, a giant golden statue that is over 60 metres tall and visible from far away. I came here during one of my wanders through the Talat Phlu area in Thonburi.

I think it’s one of the most impressive temples in Bangkok, and it feels very different from the famous trio of the Grand Palace, Wat Arun and Wat Pho. The Big Buddha is very photogenic, but that’s not all. Inside the main pagoda, there’s a beautiful glass chedi and a green decorative ceiling that looks almost unreal.

In this guide, I’ll show you what to see at Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen, how to get there, how much the entry fee is, and how to continue walking towards Artist House for a slower, more creative break by the canals.

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Short on Time? Here’s the Quick Overview:

Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen	Quick details
Best known for	Bangkok’s Big Buddha, glass chedi and green ceiling
Location	Phasi Charoen, Thonburi side of Bangkok
Entry fee	Free
Best combined with	Talat Phlu, Artist House and Khlong Bang Luang
Dress code	Shoulders and knees covered
Nearest stations	Bang Phai MRT or Talat Phlu BTS

Is Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen Worth Visiting? My Experience

Yes! Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen is definitely worth visiting, especially if you’ve already seen the main temples in Bangkok and want something a bit different.

To be honest, this was my second visit. The first time, a couple of months ago, I came to see the Big Buddha and had no idea what the stunning pagoda was hiding inside, so I just walked past the temple.

What surprised me most was that there is actually much more to see here. I think many people only come for the big golden statue, take a photo and leave, but apart from the pagoda with the stunning ceiling, there are also a few smaller temples, a café, a nice courtyard where you can have a little break, and a small viewpoint platform.

Even though Wat Paknam is located a bit further away from “central” Bangkok, you can easily make a nice day out of it, as it’s not in the middle of nowhere. I started in the morning at Talat Phlu, visited local markets, tried traditional Thai desserts, took a canal boat ride, and then walked to Wat Paknam.

After that I continued to Artist House, where I enjoyed views over the canal and passing boats.

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Wat Paknam Opening Hours and Entrance Fee

The temple is open every day from 6 AM until 8 PM, and the entrance is free, even for foreigners.

Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen Dress Code

The dress code is the same as at any other temple in Thailand. Both men and women need to have their shoulders and knees covered, and you also need to take off your shoes before entering the temple or pagoda.

I believe this rule applies to the entire grounds. I saw a few young women walking around in shorts and with exposed shoulders, and noticed other Asian visitors pointing at them, so I assume it was for that reason. Before you enter the temple, you should also take off your cap or hat.

How to Get to Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen

There are a few ways to get to Wat Paknam, depending on where you’re coming from and how much walking you want to do.

I took the BTS Skytrain from Siam directly to Talat Phlu station. From there, it’s about a 23-minute walk to the Big Buddha, and I think this is the way to go if, like me, you want to see the Talat Phlu first.

You can also take the MRT to Bang Phai station, which might work better if you’re coming from the Old Town or Chinatown. From Bang Phai station, it’s only about a ten-minute walk to the temple.

And of course, you can also take a taxi. Either get one on the street or order one via the Grab app, which I usually find easier. I was very glad I had data on my phone, as I was constantly checking directions through all these tiny streets.

Want to know which eSIM I use and rely on? Read my article: Best eSIM for Thailand.

What to See at Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen

The Big Buddha

You can see the Big Buddha from different parts of the neighbourhood, and honestly, it looks impressive from every angle. Some of the best spots for photos are from SURIYA COFFEE in Talat Phlu, the viewing spot just across the water next to Hidden Bangkok Bistro, Wat Khun Chan Bridge, or from a canal boat.

The Pagoda, Glass Chedi and Green Ceiling

This was probably my favourite part of Wat Paknam, and I think it can be easily overlooked. Right behind the Big Buddha is a tall white pagoda with five floors. I took the lift to the fifth floor, where I was welcomed by a stunning glass chedi and an incredible green ceiling. I had never seen anything like it.

There’s also an outdoor terrace where you can see the Big Buddha again, as well as a pretty good view of the whole area. After that, I walked down and stopped on the third floor, where there is a small museum, and on the second floor, which has a ceremonial meditation hall.

The Temple Grounds

Wat Paknam is an active temple, so you’ll often see monks walking between buildings, people praying and locals going about their day. There’s quite a big courtyard where people were taking photos, as well as a little café with a small viewing platform.

There are also a few smaller temples around the courtyard, which were accessible and free to visit.

What I Did After Visiting Wat Paknam

After visiting Wat Paknam, I continued walking towards Artist House and Khlong Bang Luang. This was one of my favourite parts of the route because it felt calm, local and very different from the Bangkok most people imagine.

From the temple, I continued along Pak Nam Alley, crossed another small bridge and made my way towards the main road. Along this stretch, you’ll find a few charming cafés, such as Meili Café and Thura Heritage House Café, as well as colourful neighbourhood schools.

Once I reached the massive Phet Kasem Road, I took the pedestrian overpass to cross to the other side and continued walking towards Khlong Bang Luang Market.

This area is pretty calm, with traditional wooden houses, the occasional modern one, and small temples tucked between homes.

Khlong Bang Luang Market and Canal Cafés

After about 12 minutes, I arrived at a small market with stalls selling Thai souvenirs and inexpensive local snacks like spring rolls and crispy Thai pancakes.

As I was hungry, I stopped at Baan Plern Jitt, a canal-side spot specialising in Pad Thai. They have wooden benches right above the canal, where I sat watching fish poke their tails above the surface.

The Pad Thai wasn’t my personal favourite, but the prices were very affordable. I paid just under 100 THB for a meal and a drink.

Artist House Bangkok: Baan Silapin

My main goal was to visit Artist House, also known as Baan Silapin. It’s a centuries-old wooden house that has been turned into a community arts space. Inside, you’ll find paintings, sculptures, handmade crafts, shadow puppets, small workshops and a few very friendly resident cats.

It’s not directly accessible from the main street, and there are two different ways to get there. You can either enter through Khun Aoi’s Kitchen and then continue left along the wooden walkway that connects the houses on the canal side, or you can enter from Soi 28, which is a bit further along.

I got another iced Ceylon tea with lime here and sat by the canal, watching locals fixing one of the houses and long-tail boats passing by.

Inside Artist House, you can buy all kinds of souvenirs, or pay 150 THB to make your own bracelet, or 250 THB to make a necklace. They have plenty of colourful beads, so you can get creative.

You can also pay to paint your own tote bag, or go upstairs and paint an actual painting. There were plenty of seats and a little art gallery with views overlooking the canal. I’ll definitely be back.

Soi 28: Desserts, Vintage Stalls and Local Snacks

My last stop on this day trip was Soi 28, which is lined with cute cafés, small eateries and stands selling vintage goods.

You can try Thai rolled pancakes at Meow Meow Roll, or look for local snacks and ice cream. I tried taro-coconut ice cream topped with peanuts and coriander, which sounds a little strange, but was surprisingly delicious.

How to Get Back to Central Bangkok

There are two ways to get back to Sukhumvit, Silom or wherever you need to go next.

After Soi 28, I crossed the bridge towards Sak Charoen Alley and continued all the way to the main Charan Sanitwong Road. From here, it was only a few minutes to Tha Phra MRT station.

This final stretch wasn’t touristy at all. It was just locals selling fruit, noodles and snacks along the street as people were returning home from work and school.

The other option is to walk back from Artist House to Bang Phai MRT station, which is much quicker.

Things to Know Before Visiting Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen

• Dress modestly: cover your shoulders and knees, and remove your shoes where required.
• Bring some cash for drinks and snacks.
• Don’t miss the pagoda: the glass chedi and green ceiling were honestly one of the best parts of the visit.
• Wear comfortable shoes: if you plan to continue walking to Artist House, Khlong Bang Luang and MRT Tha Phra, you’ll walk more than you expect.
• Make sure you have internet on your phone: this route is not difficult, but there are small streets, bridges and alleys, so Google Maps is very useful.

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Where to Stay in Bangkok for Visiting Wat Paknam

I personally wouldn’t stay right next to Wat Paknam on a first trip to Bangkok unless you specifically want to be in this part of Thonburi. As you can see, it’s well connected by both Skytrain and MRT, so if you choose a hotel near one of the central stations, you’ll be fine.

I’d recommend areas like Sukhumvit, Siam or Silom.

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FAQ About Visiting Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen

Can you combine Wat Paknam with Talat Phlu?

Yes, and I actually think this is one of the best ways to visit the area. Expect to spend around 5–6 hours here, depending on your pace.

I’d first visit Talat Phlu for local markets, coffee and Thai desserts, then continue towards Wat Paknam for the Big Buddha and the pagoda. I was pretty tired by that point, so Artist House was actually a really nice stop to recharge.

What is Wat Paknam famous for?

Wat Paknam is best known for its big golden Buddha statue, but the temple is also famous for the beautiful glass chedi with a green ceiling inside the main pagoda.

Is Wat Paknam free to visit?

Yes, Wat Paknam was free to visit when I went, not only for Thais but also for foreigners. I’d still bring cash in case you want to buy drinks, snacks or make a donation.

Can you walk from Wat Paknam to Artist House?

Yes, you can walk from Wat Paknam to Artist House in around 25 minutes. The route takes you through local streets, small bridges, cafés, Khlong Bang Luang Market and canal-side neighbourhoods.

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Final Thoughts on Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen

To sum it up, I think Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen should not be missed, even if you’re visiting Bangkok for only three days. The pagoda is stunning and truly unique.

If you plan the visit together with Talat Phlu, you’ll have a lovely half-day plan and your camera roll full of amazing photos showing a more authentic side of Bangkok.