Loha Prasat Bangkok: Fees, Hours and How to Get There

By NaJade · DJ in Bangkok · Published November 9, 2026

Loha Prasat is the “Metal Castle” at Wat Ratchanatdaram in Bangkok’s old town: a 36-metre, seven-storey temple crowned with 37 metal spires, commissioned by King Rama III in 1846. Visitors can climb to the top for views of the Golden Mount. Entry is a small donation of about 20 baht for foreigners, and it is open roughly 9am to 5pm daily.

It sits right on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, opposite the Golden Mount, yet most visitors walk straight past it on the way to Khao San Road. That is a shame, because it is one of the most unusual buildings in Thailand — and usually one of the calmest. Here is what you need to know before you go.

Loha Prasat is a 36-metre temple with 37 spires at Wat Ratchanatdaram, near the Golden Mount. Go between about 9am and 5pm, pay a roughly 20-baht donation, cover shoulders and knees, and climb the spiral stairs to the top. Combine it with the Golden Mount and the old town in one morning.

What Is Loha Prasat?

“Loha Prasat” means metal castle or metal palace. King Nangklao (Rama III) ordered it built in 1846 for his granddaughter, modelled on earlier Loha Prasat buildings in India and Sri Lanka. Construction stalled for more than a century, restarted in the 1960s under King Bhumibol (Rama IX), and the building opened to visitors around 2007. Today it is the only surviving Loha Prasat of its kind.

Fact	Detail
Temple	Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan
Height	About 36 metres, seven storeys
Spires	37 (24 lower, 12 middle, 1 top)
Meaning of the spires	The 37 virtues leading to enlightenment
Commissioned	1846, by King Rama III
Opened to visitors	Around 2007

The Wikipedia page on Wat Ratchanatdaram has more on its architecture and the relic enshrined at the top.

Opening Hours, Fees and Dress Code

Item	What to expect
Hours	Roughly 9am–5pm daily
Entry	Donation of about 20 baht (foreigners), 10 baht (Thais)
Children	Usually free
Time needed	45 minutes to an hour
Dress code	Shoulders and knees covered
Shoes	Removed in some indoor areas

Fees at Thai temples change from time to time, so carry small notes. Dress as you would for any active temple — our guide to what to wear in Bangkok covers it, and Thai etiquette explains how to behave around monks and shrines.

How to Get There

Canal boat: the fastest option from Siam or Pratunam. Take the Khlong Saen Saep boat to Phan Fa Lilat pier at the end of the line, then walk about three minutes.
MRT: Sam Yot station on the Blue Line is about 15 minutes’ walk. See the MRT guide.
River boat: the Chao Phraya Express to Tha Chang, then roughly 25 minutes on foot or a short taxi.
Taxi or Grab: ask for “Wat Ratchanadda” — most drivers know it by that name.

What to See and Do Nearby

Nearby	Distance	Why go
Golden Mount (Wat Saket)	Across the road	Hilltop temple with panoramic views
Democracy Monument	A few minutes’ walk	Landmark roundabout on Ratchadamnoen
Wat Suthat and the Giant Swing	About 15 minutes’ walk	One of Bangkok’s finest temples
Khao San Road	About 15 minutes’ walk	Food, bars and backpacker energy

A good half-day route: Loha Prasat first thing, then the Golden Mount, then lunch and Wat Suthat. Our Bangkok old town guide maps the rest of the area. For official tourism information, see the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Tips for a Better Visit

Go early: mornings are cooler and quieter, and the light on the spires is beautiful.
Climb slowly: the central spiral staircase is narrow; let people coming down pass.
Look up from the bottom too: the repeating corridors inside are the most photogenic part.
Be respectful: it is an active temple, not just a viewpoint. Keep voices low.

A Note From NaJade

I first went to Loha Prasat by accident — I was early for a soundcheck near Khao San Road and needed somewhere quiet to sit. I ended up climbing to the top and staying for an hour. It is one of the few places in Bangkok where the city noise just stops. The corridors repeat like a loop, and as a DJ that kind of rhythm gets in your head. I keep sending friends there instead of the more crowded temples, and almost everyone comes back saying it was their favourite stop. Go in the morning, take it slowly, and let it be calm.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Loha Prasat in Bangkok?

Loha Prasat, or the Metal Castle, is a seven-storey Buddhist structure at Wat Ratchanatdaram in Bangkok’s old town. It is about 36 metres tall and topped with 37 metal spires representing the 37 virtues on the path to enlightenment. King Rama III commissioned it in 1846, and it opened to visitors around 2007.

How much does it cost to visit Loha Prasat?

Entry is by donation: about 20 baht for foreign visitors and 10 baht for Thais, with children usually free. Fees at Bangkok temples can change, so bring small notes. It is one of the cheapest major sights in the city and includes access to the upper levels and viewing area.

What are Loha Prasat’s opening hours?

Loha Prasat is generally open daily from around 9am to 5pm. Morning visits are best because it is cooler, quieter and the light is softer for photos. Allow 45 minutes to an hour to climb to the top, look around and visit the main temple buildings.

How do I get to Loha Prasat?

The easiest route is the Khlong Saen Saep canal boat to Phan Fa Lilat pier, then a three-minute walk. Sam Yot MRT station is about 15 minutes away on foot. You can also take a taxi or Grab and ask for Wat Ratchanadda, which most drivers know.

What should I wear to Loha Prasat?

Cover your shoulders and knees, as you would at any Thai temple. Light trousers or a long skirt and a T-shirt are fine. Avoid see-through clothing and very short shorts. Wear shoes that are easy to slip off, because you may need to remove them in some indoor areas.

Is Loha Prasat worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you want a quieter alternative to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. It is architecturally unique, inexpensive, rarely crowded and right next to the Golden Mount, so it fits easily into an old-town walk. The views from the top across Ratchadamnoen Avenue are a bonus.

About the Author

NaJade is a Bangkok-based DJ playing progressive house, melodic EDM, pop, and Thai music across clubs, rooftops, and weddings in Thailand — and has lived in the city long enough to have made every one of these mistakes at least once. Find him on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

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