Wat Pathumwanaram Rajaworavihara ( Wat Srapathum )

King Rama IV ordered the construction of the temple as a gift for Queen Thepsirin. Monks of the Dhammayutika sect from Wat Bowornniwet Vihara were invited to reside at the temple and the would sometimes board boats in the temple pond to receive alms from the King and his wives.he door and windows shutters of the phra ubosot are decorated with plaster figures depicting farmers plowing their fields or fishing in the lotus ponds , which were common feature of life at that time.
The phra vihara of Wat Pathumwanaram houses important images that were brought from Vientiane, namely , the Phra Serm and Phra Saen. This harmonizes with the murals depicting scenes from the humorous and witty stories of Sri Thanonchai, or Chiang Mieng, which were popular among the Thais and Laos. The murals in the phra vihara were the work of artists of the Fourth Reign and shoe clear Wstern influence. One scene of interest shows a metal bridge on wheels that can be pulled aside to allow boats to pass. Such bridges are no longer in existence.
In 1926 Phra Srisawarinthra Borom Rajathevee the Royal Grandmother, built the Pali Studies School, which later became the repository of the remains of Somdej Phra Mahitalathibet Adulyadejvikrom. The father of King Rama IX.

Credit by www.dhammathai.org

The Marble Temple of Thailand

The Marble Temple is classified as a top-ranked royal temple, with the ordination hall being founded by His Majesty the King Rama V on March 1st, BE 2442 (AD 1899). Its rectangular landmark covers 220m (North-South) and 199m (East-West). Total area is approx. 42,264 sq.meter.

Prior to King Rama V's renovation of the temple, little was known about the temple, as it was probably not a famous tample. The temple's was called "Wat Laem" or "Wat Sai Thong" (Golden Sai Tree). When King Rama V built Dusit Palace, two temples (Wat Dusit and Wat Rang) were in fact dissolved for land reclaimation. The renovation of Wat Benchamabopit in a great way was also considered a compensation for two other temples.

His Majesty King Rama V established the Marble Temple with the following objectives:

* to become a memorial for his reign, and to keep his remains beneath the Chinnarat Buddha image;
* to become a museum of buddha images of various times and from various places. The collection is world-famous and is still available for study along the Wiharn Kod behind the ordination hall;
* to become a showpiece of Thailand's finest art designed by a top architect of the country,Somdet Chaofa Khromphraya Narisaranuwattiwong;
* to be the study centre for Dharma.
At present, the building is part of the National Museum. The permanent exhibition inside the buildings include the bed used by King Rama V while being ordained. The exhibit also include twenty paintings and murals on King Rama V. These murals depicted the activities of King Rama V, historic events and on Thai culture.

credit by expo.nectec.or.th