11 Hindu Temples to Explore in Thailand

Erawan Shrine is one of the most popular Hindu shrines in downtown Bangkok. It’s in front of Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, at the corner of Ploenchit and Ratchadamri Road. Throughout the day, you'll often see crowds paying their respects, presenting flowers and incense sticks to a gold sculpture of the 4-faced Brahma God, Than Tao Mahaprom.

Phanom Rung is probably the most impressive and significant of the Khmer temples that can be found in Thailand. It was constructed in Angkor style during the 10th until the 13th century as a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. The temple was built on top of a hill which symbolizes Mount Kailash, a holy mountain in Hinduism on top of which Shiva lives. Phanom Rung lies on the ancient route from Angkor to Phimai in Nakhon Ratchasima province.

The Prasat Ban Bu is a Khmer temple from the end of the xii th , beginning of xiii th century , built by King Jayavarman VII . It is located on the site of the Ban Bu village school. It is one of the eight dharmasalas identified to date on the road to Prasat Hin Phimai. These dharmasalas were distant about fifteen kilometers from each other, which corresponded to a day of walking. It was originally a laterite tower with a long entrance hall and more.

The Prasat Ban Phlai is a Khmer temple located in the Surin province of Thailand. The sandstone structures found on the site suggest that it was a Hindu shrine dedicated to Shiva.

Prasat Muang Tam is a Hindu Temple in Prakhon Chai District, Buriram Province, Thailand. It is primarily in the Khleang and Baphuon styles, which dates its primary phases of construction to the late-10th and early-11th centuries. The primary deity was Shiva, although Vishnu was also worshipped there.

Sikhoraphum is one of the largest and well preserved Khmer monuments in the Surin province of Thailand. Prasat Sikhoraphum was most likely built during the 11th or 12th century. It was constructed as a Hindu temple dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva

Mariamman Temple, also known as Maha Uma Devi Temple in Si Lom, known as Wat Khaek Silom , 'Khaek' being a term, albeit one increasingly perceived as offensive, used for "people of Indian origin", is a South Indian architecture style Hindu temple in Bangkok, Thailand. It was built in 1879 by Vaithi Padayatchi, a Tamil Hindu immigrant.

Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram, known by many as the Marble Temple because its pillars, courtyard, and lion statue guardians are all made entirely of Italian Carrara marble, is one of Bangkok’s most beautiful temples. The temple’s name means “the Monastery of the fifth King near Dusit Palace”, the fifth King being King Chulalongkorn the Great (Rama V).

Wat I Khang is a ruined 16th or 17th century temple in the Wiang Kum Kam archaeological complex near modern Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. It is named after the former prevalence of wild old world monkeys at the site prior to its excavation and restoration, which are known as khang in Thai.

Wat Lok Molee is an older temple in Chiang Mai which features a 14th century chedi, manicured garden area and an impressive prayer hall. Located just outside of the Old City moat area, Wat Lok Molee is not visited as often as other temples and therefore sometimes visitors can be alone in the whole temple grounds. The entrance to Wat Lok Molee is guarded by two impressive stone elephants, although there is a second larger entrance for cars and motorbikes to enter.

This bizarre-looking white temple located about five km south of Chiang Rai City is the brainchild of Chiang Rai-born visual artist and painter Chalermchai Kositpipat. He brings an unconventional approach to temple architecture, fusing elements from his own imagination (white, not gold, as a pure colour to embody the sacredness of temples) with orthodox Buddhist teachings about heaven, hell, karma and earthly sins.