5 Great Churches and Mosques in Bangkok

Assumption Cathedral is Bangkok's principal Roman Catholic cathedral. It’s also the main church of the Archdiocese of Bangkok, which dates back to 1662. It was constructed between 1910 and 1918 to replace an earlier church on the same spot. Pope John Paul II visited this cathedral during his trip to Bangkok in 1984. The beautiful interior is classic Romanesque, with round arches, looming ceilings covered in rich rococo and stained glass. Murals on the walls of the nave at the end depict biblical scenes.

The Holy Rosary Church was originally built on the banks of the Chao Phraya River in 1768, following a land grant by King Rama I. The Portuguese Catholic church that you can see near the Bangkok riverside today is the result of rebuilding work between 1891 and 1898. 

This restoration lent it its neo-gothic style, showcasing an impressive statue of the Virgin Mary, towering central spire, marigold facade, curving gilded stucco ceilings and beautiful stained glass windows, depicting stories from the Old and New Testament. The easiest way to get there is by taking the Chao Phraya Express Boat to Si Phraya Pier.

Santa Cruz Church is a Roman Catholic church in Thonburi that offers an impressive sight with its imposing neoclassical architecture. The Portuguese have allied with Thailand since 1516 when they began supplying the country with arms and ammunitions to help ward off the Burmese aggression at the time. 

After the destruction of Ayutthaya in 1767, and with it the Catholic church there, King Taksin granted permission for them to build another one in the new capital Thonburi, a gift in recognition of their vital services. The church and the surrounding area are a good starting point for discovering the traces of Portugal in the Thai capital.

Christ Church Bangkok is an Anglican church that continues to be a popular place of worship among Bangkok expatriates. After an influx of protestant missionaries between the early and mid-19th century, King Rama IV granted land for a church to be built to serve them in Charoenkrung Road. 

It wasn't long until the English Church (as it was then known due to its mainly English congregation) was overstretched. In 1904, King Rama V granted permission for a bigger and more centrally located church to be built. As an attraction on its own, the clean-white simple Gothic church is a sight to behold.

Haroon Mosque is one of the busiest and oldest mosques in Bangkok. The original 1-storey wooden structure was replaced by brick-coloured concrete after it crumbled down beyond repair. Inside, the mosque showcases intricately carved Arabic script and can hold up to 500 people at a time. You can find the mosque amid a web of alleyways near the famous Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Bangkok's Riverside area.