'You cannot go there' shouted the man. He seemed concern as visitors (non Thai) were making their way to Wat Pho to view the Reclining Buddha. 'Its closed' shouted another voice, 'its Buddha day'. The voices were ignored by all and sundry, by now used to such concern for their welfare.

It is said that the Buddha entered the state of Nirvarna whilst being in this reclining position. There is an entrance fee payable for non Thai visitors and they also go thorugh a different entrance. You have to take your shoes off before you view the reclining Buddha.

If you wish to take the whole picture of the statue, then do it from the feet. To many this is a tourist site, but to see the locals praying in the temple, the religious significance of the site is unmistakable.

On our way back to the boat I heard more concerned voices. 'You cannot go there', he said. I turned round and asked, 'where'.

'Wat Arun' he replied. 'Thai only today'.

I cannot help answering back cheekily, 'I am not going there, back to my hotel already been to Wat Arun earlier'.

If there is only one temple you would want to visit other than Wat Phra Kaeo (which is bundled with your visit to the Grand Palace), Wat Pho is definitely my top choice.

You will be amazed at how long the reclining buddha is! Many people have problems taking in the whole statue in their camera. Just aim your camera from the feet of the Buddha. Also notice the intricate carvings on the feet of the Buddha. Exchange for some satangs (small coins) behind the Buddha and drop your coins in the many bowls as you make a wish.

Behind the main temple is the Wat Pho Thai Massage school. You can have a massage here or even take a lesson on Thai massage.

To reach the temple, get off at the Tha Tien pier on the Chao Phraya Express Boat. If you are coming from the Grand Palace, turn left as you come out of the Grand Palace, turn left at the end of the road and follow the palace walls (about 200m) until you reach a junction, turn left again and the entrance is right ahead. Entrance for foreigners is 50 baht each.

The temple is opened everyday, or just ignore anyone who tries to tell you otherwise.

This was the very first temple I visited in my first visit to Thailand, and I was literally blown away. My mom and I took the Chao Phraya ferry and got off the Wat Pho stop. It was a 5 minute walk from the dock to the temple compound. I think you have to pay around 50bath to get in. Entering the complex, you will be greeted by an abundance of different marvelous structures. I went there in Aug 08, which was supposedly low season, but the place was packed with tourists. We followed the flow of the crowd without any expectations; and then, there it was, the largest (I mean humungous!) reclining Buddha in all of Thailand (and, I'm assuming, in the whole planet). We entered from the head area and were awe-struck by the enormous size of this gold-plated Buddha. We wondered how Thais did it. We have never seen anything like this before (check photos). I guess you have to see it to believe it. This is a must in any itinerary in Bangkok, and can easily be combined with Wat Arun (board a cross river ferry from Wat Pho stop) and the Grand Palace, which was walking distance. If you see these three places, you have successfully completed a basic tour of Bangkok, and you wouldn't leave feeling like you've only done was shopping.

I loved it here! I came here twice as the first time was during Songkran and it was insanely packed. The second was a few days later and it was much quieter. However, both times were amazing as I saw a side of Wat Pho during Songkran that you only get to see once a year. The Reclining Buddha was awe-inspiring and well worth more than the one - I was here - picture. I was not prepared on just how HUGE it is. The bemused smile, the half closed eyes, the mother-of-pearl designs on the base of his feet, the paintings on the ceilings, the details on the doors, the windows, its just too much to take it in in a quick pass. For a small donation, you get a bowl of coins that you can drop one each inside the 108 prayer bowls lined up against the wall. This is for good luck.

During Songkran, it was a real festival. Visitors - Thai and foreign alike - were lined up to pray by pouring scented water over small Buddha statues that were covered in gold leaf. Or by buying lotus flowers and lighting incense. Colored flags were draped across the courtyard between various temples and chedis in the buildings - making the place very colorful. In a quieter area where a collection of chedis stood, people were building sand chedis out of damp, blessed sand and planting flowers and little flags in them - hundreds of these already stood around each chedi.

And take your time when you're there. This is not the place to rush - there is just too much too see. Don't forget to bang the gong when you're there - its near the front entrance - and to shake the prayer sticks while praying to Buddha. Hold and shake the cup containing the prayer sticks perpendicular to the ground. A stick will fall out marked with a number which corresponds to the numbered slip of paper in the back of the room. Take it and read it. It contains an answer - or least an insight - to your prayer to Buddha.

Even though both visits were total opposites, I felt very lucky to have experienced both. I highly recommend a visit here - Songkran or no - during your stay in Bangkok.