Golden Buddha, Buddhist temple in Yaowarat district, Bangkok, Thailand
The Golden Buddha is a solid gold statue of Buddha housed in Wat Traimit temple in Bangkok, Thailand. The figure sits upright on a pedestal and measures roughly 3 meters in height, with a total weight of several tons.
The figure was created between the 13th and 15th centuries during the Sukhothai period and remained hidden under a simple plaster coating for centuries. An accident during transport in 1955 revealed the gold beneath and changed understanding about the value of this long-forgotten object.
The sculpture bears the name Phra Phuttha Maha Suwan Patimakon and shows the Buddha with his right hand pointing toward the earth, a gesture recalling victory over temptation. Worshippers place flowers and incense sticks while visitors observe from a distance the warm glow of the metal reflecting light across the room.
The temple opens in the early morning and closes in the late afternoon, giving visitors enough time to view the statue at a comfortable pace. A separate exhibition room on the upper floor provides additional information about the discovery story, with the main hall accessible by stairs.
The plaster coating that hid the gold for centuries likely served as protection from looting during times of war. Beneath the white surface lay an additional layer of colored glass pieces that concealed the actual material even better.
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