Where It's Located
The Bangkok Thailand Temple is located at 1645/6 New Petchaburi Road in the Makkasan neighborhood of Bangkok. The temple occupies a 1.77-acre site in the heart of Thailand's capital and stands beside the Makkasan Airport Rail Link Station, making it one of the most accessible temples in Southeast Asia. The property also includes an annex building that houses the Thailand Missionary Training Center, two meetinghouses, mission offices, a service center, classrooms, and patron housing.
Getting There
The nearest major airport is Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), Bangkok's primary international airport. Travelers from the United States can reach Bangkok through nonstop flights from select U.S. cities or by connecting through major hubs such as Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Hong Kong, Singapore, or Doha. From Suvarnabhumi Airport, the Airport Rail Link provides convenient transportation to Makkasan Station, located directly behind the temple property.
A Bit of History
The Bangkok Thailand Temple was announced by President Thomas S. Monson during the April 2015 General Conference. At the time, approximately 18,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints lived in Thailand, and the temple would become the country's first.
The Church acquired the temple property in 2008, and an official rendering was released in March 2018. Groundbreaking and site dedication were both held on January 26, 2019. Elder Robert C. Gay presided over the groundbreaking, while Elder David F. Evans offered the site dedicatory prayer.
Following several years of construction, the public was invited to tour the temple during an open house from September 1–16, 2023. Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the temple on October 22, 2023. The Bangkok Thailand Temple became the 185th operating temple of The Church and the first temple built in mainland Southeast Asia.
Design and Architecture
The Bangkok Thailand Temple contains approximately 48,525 square feet of floor space and rises 242 feet above street level. The building features a soaring central spire surrounded by eight smaller spires, creating one of the most distinctive temple silhouettes in the world. Unlike many modern temples, the final design does not include an angel Moroni statue.
The exterior is finished with precast concrete panels fabricated in Bangkok, while the temple's decorative elements draw inspiration from traditional Thai architecture. Diamond-shaped patterns, lotus flower motifs, and woven designs reminiscent of traditional Thai palm crafts appear throughout the building. A Christus statue stands in the courtyard connecting the temple to the annex building. Inside, the temple includes two instruction rooms, two sealing rooms, and one baptistry.
Final Thoughts
The Bangkok Thailand Temple is a landmark for Latter-day Saints throughout Southeast Asia. As the first temple in mainland Southeast Asia, it fulfills decades of hopes for Church members in Thailand and neighboring countries. Its striking skyline, culturally inspired design, and central location make it one of the most unique and memorable temples in the world.
Scott & Riah
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