Table of Contents
Introduction
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Updated September 2026: added details of Hidden Bangkok Bistro Giant Golden Buddha viewpoint.
Giant Golden Buddha
Forget the tour boat crowds. This is not the standard route to see Bangkok’s iconic Giant Golden Buddha (Phra Buddha Dhammakāya Thepmongkhon at Wat Pak Nam Phasi Charoen). That’s a bit of a mouthful so the statue is commonly referred to as the Giant Golden Buddha at Wat Pak Nam Phasi Charoen or by its nickname the Great Buddha of Paknam.
Rising to a height of 69 metres within the grounds of Wat Pak Nam Phasi Charoen, this colossal statue is one of the tallest in Thailand. Its breathtaking golden silhouette, depicting the Lord Buddha seated in meditation, commands reverence and dominates the skyline.
This self-guided, independent walking adventure has been personally planned and mapped by me. It’s your definitive guide to finding the exact viewpoints of this magnificent modern landmark, which also features in my Thon Buri walk. While many only see it from afar, this walk will show you precisely where to stand for the best perspectives. However, before you put on your walking shoes, don’t miss my essential safety tips for walking in Bangkok.
What to expect
This walk takes you through one of Bangkok’s quieter corners, a stretch where the pace slows right down and the city feels a world away. Wandering through narrow soi (alleys) bustling with life, you will pass a fascinating musical instrument workshop and catch your first viewpoints of the Great Buddha of Paknam, along with a handful of charming cafés.
The path then weaves past peaceful canals before culminating in several more viewpoints and cafés, including the Hidden Bangkok Bistro with its stunning views of the Giant Golden Buddha. From there, the route leads you through more local streets full of charm, alongside local railway tracks.
Keep your camera close, there are some great photo opportunities on this one, marked throughout with a camera emoji 📷.
Highlights
Superscript links indicate waypoints on the map below.
Gallery
Photographs from this walk will soon appear in my photography portfolio. If you would like to be notified when they are added simply subscribe here.
Directions
Superscript links indicate waypoints on the map below.
This route starts at Tha Phra MRT station and ends at Wutthakat BTS station.
After negotiating the tricky exits from the MRT station (see my Detailed Guide), the walk enters the local streets. These are lined with many interesting shops, businesses, and local cafés. In this section, you’ll find a small but fascinating musical instrument workshop. 📷
Soon after, you’ll get your first glimpse of the Giant Golden Buddha. 📷 You might come across one or two other people here also taking photographs.
Further on, the Uruea Café on the canal is another great viewpoint. 📷 From there, it’s a journey across canals and bridges to the main temple complex Wat Pak Nam Phasi Charoen and close-up views of the Great Buddha of Paknam. 📷
When you’ve had enough, several cafes are not far away together with the final viewpoints. Then, the route continues through more local streets and follows the railway tracks 📷 down to the Wutthakat BTS station. The total distance is about 6 km.
Map
The map below shows the entire route, with waypoints and Great Buddha of Paknam viewpoints marked along the way. Here’s the key to the icons in the map header.
View the legend or follow the route in Google Maps by tapping these icons in the map header.
Detailed Guide
Head to the ‘Detailed Guide’ button below for full directions and route notes.
Golden Buddha to the Tracks
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Wrapping up
This detailed route truly offers a unique perspective, seamlessly blending the modern urban sprawl with the timeless, intimate charm of Bangkok’s canals and hidden alleyways. It therefore transforms a simple journey into a discovery, rewarding your efforts with quiet local moments and those stunning views of the colossal Great Buddha of Paknam. Whether you’re a photographer, a casual explorer, or just looking for a new side of the city, this walk should provide you with some memorable sights.
Giant Golden Buddha FAQ
Probably around 2 to 3 hours depending on how many stops you make.
Yes. Canal boat tours are available from Urea Café and from Wat Pak Nam Phasi Charoen and the canal near the Hidden Bangkok Bistro.
At the date of this post all renovation was complete and there was no scaffolding on the Buddha statue. Update: this is still the case as of 4th September 2026.
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