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English: Wat Pho, officially called Wat Phra Chettuphon Wimon Mangkhlaram ,is located in Phraborom Maha Ratchawang subdistrict, PhraNakorn district. Built by King Phetracha of Ayutthaya kingdom during 1691-1703, its former name was “Wat Photharam”. Later, the temple was renovated by King Rama I, and was under his patronage since then, thus became the official temple of his reign.

The temple covers a large area, with a street passing through in between the area of religious buildings and monastery. The notable Buddha statues in the area include “Phra Buddha Saiyat” or a reclining Buddha statue which is regarded as the most beautiful statue with respect to Buddha’s characteristics, and other Buddha images housed in other wihans, such as Phra Buddha Theva Patimakorn, Phra Chao Tratnai Kuangmai Maha Bhodi, Phra Nak Prok, Phra Buddha Palilai, Phra Proad Panjawakkhi, Phra Buddha Sassada, and more. There are also 99 chedis designed in traditional Thai architect and those influenced by Chinese art.

Wat Pho is known as “The first public university” as it is the place where several branches of knowledge were inscribed on stones- e.g. illustration of a series of Traditional Thai massage positions, traditional Thai medicine, and astrology manuscripts. As a result, the temple was registered as “The Memory of the World” in 2008.