08/05/2026
Porcelain collection in Wat Pho Royal Temple, Bangkok, Thailand.
Wat Pho is the temple of King Rama I (who found Bangkok in 1782) and one of Thailand’s most important monasteries. As it was once home to several Supreme Patriarchs and senior monks of the Rattanakosin period, many Chinese porcelains and Bencharong ceramics were presented to the clergy over generations.
Today, these collections are displayed in two museums within the temple grounds. The first is the King Rama IX Commemorative Museum, which houses> 1,000 ceramic pieces, and the second is the western pavilion museum, displaying around 200 additional objects.
The collection includes blue-and-white porcelains, Bencharong, Yixing teapots, and ceramic tea sets, mostly dating from the reign of King Rama I onward — corresponding to the late period of Qianlong reign of Qing dynasty through the Republican period in China (late 18th to early 20th century). A smaller number of earlier pieces from the Kangxi period and the Ming dynasty can also be found.
With its remarkable size and variety, the Wat Pho collection is considered one of the most important ceramic collections in Thailand, reflecting the long-standing devotion of Thai kings and royal families to Buddhism.
Both museums are now open to the public. Please see the final images for opening hours and locations. Have a good weekend 🙏