Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP SIGHT
WAT ARUN
The missile-shaped temple that rises from the banks of Mae Nam Chao Phraya is
known as Temple of Dawn, and was named after the Indian god of dawn, Aruna. It
was here that, in the wake of the destruction of Ayuthaya, King Taksin stumbled upon
a small local shrine and interpreted the discovery as such an auspicious sign that this
should be the site of the new capital of Siam.
King Taksin built a palace beside the shrine, which is now part of Navy Headquarters, as
well as a royal temple that housed the Emerald Buddha for 15 years until Taksin was assas-
sinated and the capital moved across the royal river to Bangkok.
