Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The second tube canal, Klong Lot Wat Buranasiri, is only a few minutes' walk north
along Atsadang Road. The temple after which the waterway takes its name is, however,
in complete contrast to Wat Ratchabophit. Wat Buranasiri is a quiet temple built in the
reign of Rama
III
by a senior minister named Chao Phraya Sutham Montri, whose daugh-
ter Sucharit Suda was to become the first consort of Rama
VI
. The temple was built on the
site of Sutham Montri's birthplace, and reflects the early Rattanakosin era in the design of
its
ubosot
, and of its high stupa, which forms a conspicuous landmark here at the junction
of the two canals. An interesting later addition, however, is the European-style bell tower,
clad in grey stone but topped off with a Chinese roof.
Following Buranasiri Road, which runs alongside the temple, will lead to Wat Mahana-
param, started in 1850 by Prince Udom Rattana Rasri, a son of Rama
III
, and, after a pro-
tracted construction period, completed in the following reign. Inside the compound is a
statue of Rama
V
, placed here in recent years to mark the centenary of Siam's first pub-
lic school for commoners, which was established in this temple by the king, who hoped
to see a system of public schools like those he had seen in Europe. Wat Mahan School
