Wat Chong Nonsi :

Wat Chong Nonsi in central Bangkok dates back to the late Ayutthaya period and it’s the oldest temple in Bangkok. The temple has a small ordination hall (ubosot) measuring 20 meters long by 10 meters wide that was constructed with the boat-shaped lines characteristic of the late Ayutthaya period. It contains wall murals painted with only four or five colors, some of which are erotic in nature. There are 32 chedis of rectangular and circular shape around the building.

Wat Chong Nonsi was built at the time when the Grand Palace existed in all its golden glory, not in Bangkok but in the then flourishing Thai capital, Ayutthaya. At that time Bangkok was just a tiny stilt village on the southern banks of the Chao Phraya River.

Chong Nonsi’s interior still manages to enrapture and inspire, and send tingles up your spine. Its allure is its murals. They are exquisite, being among the finest and best preserved survivors from the classical Ayutthaya period, whose trademark was simplicity and grace. The murals illustrate episodes from the Dasa Jataka, the 10 most popular tales from the Buddha’s former lives.

In 1767, the Burmese ransacked Ayutthaya and it was plundered to the point of destruction. The new Thai capital was rebuilt in Thonburi opposite Bangkok on the north side of the river, but unfortunately it’s glory days were short-lived, and these days it’s something like a forgotten past.

Not many tourist knows about this temple and its not listed in the usual guided tour packages but this temple is actually the gem of Bangkok, so if you’re visiting Bangkok make sure to add Wat Chong Nonsi to your itinerary.