The Temple of the Dawn (Wat Arun), Thonburi, Thailand. The Temple of the Dawn stands on the west side of the Chao Phraya River, accross from the Grand Palace in Bangkok. The pagoda of this Buddhist Temple is an awsome sight at night.

Wat Arun is a Buddhist temple (wat) on the Thonburi or west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The temple is so named because the first light of the morning reflects off the surface of the structures that surround the actual temple building..The full name of the temple is Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan (Thai: วัดอรุณราชวรารามราชวรมหาวิหาร). It is among the best known of Thailand's landmarks. The temple has existed since at least the seventeenth century, however, its distinctive prang (spires) and pagoda were built in the early nineteenth century during the reign of King Rama II.

The cover photo and the wide view of it as seen above were taken by Al Grotzinger from the Bangkok side of the Chao Phraya River in 2012. © 2012, Al Grotzinger, All rights reserved. Used by permission.