Bangkok, 20 September, 2018 – Wat Pho has been voted Thailand’s number one landmark and was also named the world’s 17th most popular tourist attraction and third in Asia according to a recent survey by TripAdvisor.
Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said: “TripAdvisor users have spoken, and we are very pleased with the results. Wat Pho is one of the country’s most venerated attractions and an important component of the TAT’s “Amazing Thailand: Open to the New Shades” marketing initiative.”
According to TripAdvisor, Wat Pho went from the 24th most popular tourist site in the world last year to the 17th place this year. Famous visitors to the equally renowned temple include former US President Barak Obama, former US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, King Philippe and Queen of Belgium, President of Chile, Prime Minister of New Zealand, Prime Minister of China, Prime Minister of Bhutan, and many more.
The top attraction at Wat Pho is the Reclining Buddha, housed in its own impressive Vihan, the colossal golden statue is 15 metres high and just over 43 metres long. The temple’s other most-visited place is the traditional Thai massage service.
Wat Pho receives 10,000 visitors a day on average. During Thailand’s annual high and peak seasons from October to January the number exceeds 15,000 visitors per day. Top source of visitors by market are China, South Korea, Japan, France, Germany, the UK, US, India and Russia.
The entrance fee generates between one million Baht to 1.5 million Baht per day, which amounts to a monthly average of over 30 million Baht. So, visitors should be mindful that their 100 Baht per person entrance fee goes a long way and is critical to the landmark’s preservation. All funds go to the restoration and maintenance of the temple and other important historical sites.
Wat Pho turns 230 years old this year with a 10-day/10-night grand celebration set in an ambiance of a bygone era scheduled from 2 to 11 November. The event will include an exhibition about the temple’s history, daily chanting ritual, the ceremony of wrapping cloth for 230 Buddha images, and a host of other cultural performances to commemorate its 230 years of history.
