Wat Phra Kaew is The Temple of The Emerald Budda, The small jade image statue is revered throughout Thailand as the most important religious artifact in the country, with a history which dates back to the 15th Century. 

The temple is located with in the same walled grounds as the Grand Palace, making the day out to these colourful and important centres of Thai culture, an absolute must for the visitor to Bangkok.

The history surround the statue and how it came to Bangkok are, as ever, vague but it is known that the Emerald Buddha was the centre of quite a few conflicts over the years. 

The figure was transferred form one place to another, from Ayutthaya, the early seat of power, then Chiang Rai.

At one point it was thought to have been lost forever, until a century later rainwater washed away a plaster coating from a statue in Chaeng San and underneath was the Emerald Buddha, found once again. 

It was then moved to Chiang mai. But in 1782 was transferred to Bangkok to be housed in Wat Phra Kaew.

The temple is one of the most revered Buddhist places in Thailand, so more then ever it is important to follow the etiquette of visiting a temple. 

There are racks outside to leave shoes, and always sit with feet tucked inside, and pointing away from any Buddha images or figures.

Pictures of Wat Phra Kaew located in Rajdamnern area. The word Wat means Temple. Generally known in Thai as Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram.

No picture of the Emerald Buddha here because people were not allowed to take picture.