The Wat Po temple is actually much older than the city of Bangkok itself. It was founded in the 17th century, making it the oldest temple in Bangkok. The name Wat Po comes from its original name of Wat Potaram. King Rama I, the founder of Bangkok, enlarged the temple, installed many statues and other artefacts recovered from Ayuthaya, and renamed the temple Wat Phra Chetuphon in 1801.

For the ebook The Bangkok Story, an Historical Guide to the Most Exciting City in the World - go to http://www.murnis.com/ebooks/the-bangkok-story/