Wat Pho or Temple of the Reclining Buddha

   This famous temple, located next to the Grand Palace, is one of Bangkok's oldest and largest temples. Wat Pho was conceived by King Rama I nearly 200 years ago as a source of public education, providing information on subjects such as literature, archaeology, astrology and medicine, and is therefore sometimes called :Thailand's First University". The chapel houses the gigantic gold-plated Reclining Buddha, which is 46 metres in length an 15 metres high with beautifully inlaid mother-of-pearl soles depicting the 108 auspicious signs of the Buddha.
    The temple is also the headquarter for the Traditional Medicine Practitioners of Bangkok. there are stone plaques and inscriptions describing treatment for various ailments and methods of massage and meditation. Thai-style massage is available in two open plan areas within the temple grounds.