Wat Chetawan

Wat Chetawan (Thai: วัดเชตวัน) is the famous Thai Buddhist temple complex in Klang Valley, Malaysia. This temple is located at Jalan Pantai, off Jalan Gasing, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Its official name is Thai Buddhist Chetawan Temple.

The Temple is also to reflect the status of Buddhism as one of the major religions in the country, and also serve as a symbol of the long standing close relationship that existed between Thailand and Malaya.

As the planned structure is to reflect the finest of Thai Temple architecture, the Fine Arts Department of Thailand in Bangkok was commissioned to draw up the architectural plans and to oversee the construction of the Temple building.

With a combined workforce of local builders and skilled craftsmen from Thailand, the main shrine hall or Vihara (Viharn) was finally completed in 1962. The structure, heavily gilded in gold leaves, intricately decorated with multi-coloured glass tiles, and crowned with a multi tiered roof trimmed with chor fahs, represented the most stunning Thai temple architecture in the Klang Valley.

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand had granted Royal Consent for His Majesty’s Royal Insignia to be mounted on the front gable of the building and also donated the main shrine Buddha image named Phra Buddha Thammeen, a rare honour that reflected His Majesty’s special consideration and compassion towards Wat Chetawan.

Today, Wat Chetawan, being one of the few royal sponsored temples outside Thailand, stands complete as a temple complex with the distinctive structures such as The Ubosot, The Dhammasala (Meditation Hall), The Bell Tower, The Monks’ Kuti, The Sala, The Mondop, The Brahma Pavilion, The Kuan Yin Pavilion, The Columbarium, The Sleeping Buddha Shrine, The Maitreya Buddha Pagoda, Temple Monument Sign, The Phra Sivali Shrine, Goddess Nang Kwak Shrine and Lord Lersi Shrine.

Getting There

Wat Chetawan is located in the heart of Petaling Jaya, the suburb of Kuala Lumpur. Its location is only 25 minutes drive from the Capital City and the Commercial Business District of Kuala Lumpur.

Wat Chetawan can be easily accessed by Federal Highway. From Kuala Lumpur, just after passing the Petaling Jaya Highway Arch (Kota Darul Ehsan Arch) , just turn left into Jalan Gasing. The temple is located off Jalan Gasing and next to Taman Jaya.

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