The mural of the Nemiraj Jataka tales

Located in the Bangkok Noi district, Wat Suwannaram is a second-class royal temple with deep historical and artistic significance. Originally built during the Ayutthaya period under the name Wat Thong, the temple was later restored and renamed by King Rama I during the early Rattanakosin era.

One of the most remarkable features of Wat Suwannaram is its mural paintings, created by two legendary Thai masters: Kru Thongyu and Kru Khong Pae. Their work inside the ordination hall (ubosot) represents some of the finest examples of early Rattanakosin mural art, depicting stories from the Jataka tales, particularly the Nemiraj Jataka.

The temple is also known for its unique votive ritual. Unlike other temples in Thailand, devotees who seek blessings from the principal Buddha image often perform a running ritual around the ordination hall, a distinct and sacred tradition found only at Wat Suwannaram.

Today, the temple continues to be a spiritual and cultural landmark, drawing both worshippers and art enthusiasts alike—especially with recent global attention from the series The White Lotus, which featured its artwork in Season 3.