White Temple Tickets: THB 200 for Foreigners, 08:00 to 17:00 on Weekdays

Foreign visitors pay THB 200 at the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) from 1 January 2026. It is open 08:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday and 08:00 to 17:30 at the weekend. Thai nationals, visitors aged 70 and over and children under 120 cm enter free. Greenbus from Chiang Mai takes 3 to 4 hours.

By Vincent Nguyen and team

White Temple ticket price and opening hours

Foreign visitors pay THB 200 at Wat Rong Khun, up from THB 100, from 1 January 2026. The ticket includes the Cave of Art. Thai nationals enter free. Visitors aged 70 and above and children shorter than 120 cm enter free.

The same THB 200 per person from 1 January 2026 appears in a travel guide too.

Arrive before 17:00, because entry may stop before the actual closing time. The ticket point may accept payment in cash. The temple is at 60 Moo 1, Phahonyothin Road, Pa O Don Chai, Mueang Chiang Rai 57000. The office telephone numbers are 0-5367-3579 and 0-5367-3539.

What you see at Wat Rong Khun

Artist Chalermchai Kositpipat founded and designed the temple in 1997. The white structure is decorated with mirrored glass fragments. The Cave of Art holds sculptures of Buddhist cosmology, including hell realms and the gates to nirvana.

No monks currently live at the temple. The fee rise pays for maintenance and improvements. Chinese tourists are the main international visitors.

What the buildings mean

The white colour of the ubosot symbolises the purity of the Buddha, and the mirror pieces represent wisdom. Visitors must cross the bridge to reach the main hall. Outstretched hands below and in front of the bridge represent craving, suffering and greed.

The golden building symbolises material attachment and worldly desire. A strong earthquake centred in Chiang Rai on 5 May 2014 damaged the ubosot and other details. The project is still ongoing.

Dress code and photos

Clothes should cover the shoulders and knees. Do not stop on the entrance bridge to pose or take photos where a sign forbids it.

What else to see: Blue Temple and Black House

Wat Rong Suea Ten, the Blue Temple, is in Rim Kok sub-district. It is listed open every day from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The directory lists admission as no charge.

Baan Dam, the Black House museum, is at 414 Moo 13, Nang Lae. It has more than 40 buildings. Staff are on duty from 9.00 to 12.00 and 13.00 to 17.00 every day.

The buildings were designed by the artist, inspired by Lan Xang, Lanna and Suvarnabhumi. Each house has its own concept and its own collection. The Lao house is inspired by Suvarnabhumi and holds silverware.

Who it suits

• A day trip from Chiang Mai: the first Greenbus leaves at 07:00 and the last bus back leaves Chiang Rai at 18:30.
• Visitors who arrive late: entry may stop before the 17:00 weekday close.
• Over-70s and children under 120 cm: entry is free.
• Bring cash: the ticket point may accept payment in cash.

How to get there from Chiang Mai

The temple is about 12 km from Chiang Rai city centre, on Phahonyothin Road. By car, taxi or hired transport it takes about 20 to 25 minutes from the city. Morning light is often the most pleasant, and arriving early makes it easier to enjoy the atmosphere before the busiest crowds.

Greenbus covers the 180 to 185 km in 3 to 4 hours. Buses leave Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3 (Arcade) and arrive at Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1 for applicable services.

Daily departures from Chiang Mai are 07:00, 07:30, 08:45, 09:30, 11:00, 13:30, 14:00, 17:00, 18:15 and 18:30. From Chiang Rai they are 07:30, 08:00, 08:30, 10:00, 12:00, 12:30, 13:30, 16:00, 18:00 and 18:30. Monday adds a 06:00 bus from Chiang Mai. Friday and Sunday add a 16:00 bus.

Coming back, Monday adds a 10:45 bus from Chiang Rai, and Friday and Sunday add a 14:30 bus. The road is Highway 118.

Bus classes and tickets

Greenbus runs more than one class, and V-Class and X-Class are the ones to check on this route, subject to availability. V-Class is a first-class air-conditioned bus with VIP seats, 3 seats per row, and a toilet. VX-Class mixes VIP seats at 3 per row with standard seats at 4 per row. A-Class has standard seats, 4 per row, and no toilet.

The buses carry CCTV and a USB charger.

Buy tickets on fairfair.co.th or at fairfair counters in Greenbus stations and offices. The FairFair call centre is 053 142 888. The Greenbus contact number is 053 266 480. Pick a departure on FairFair to see the applicable fare.

FairFair is an official Greenbus booking channel, with advance booking up to 30 days. By road the temple is about 19 to 22 km from Chiang Rai airport. Read the Chiang Mai guide for the other end of the trip.

When to go and how long to stay

Allow about 1 to 2 hours at the temple. Weekday visitors lose the final half hour that weekend visitors get. Weekday visits close at 17:00, so a late afternoon arrival suits the weekend better. Weekdays close at 17:00 and weekends at 17:30.

Nearby and combining the sights

The Blue Temple stays open until 8:00 PM, so it fits the end of the day. Baan Dam is staffed until 17:00. The Chiang Rai Tourist Police Station is on the force’s station list. The tourist police hotline is 1155.

Before you go

• Carry cash for the ticket point.
• Cover your shoulders and knees.
• Arrive before 17:00.
• Do not stop on the entrance bridge where a sign forbids it.
• Save the tourist police hotline 1155.

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Not confirmed: The THB 200 ticket is confirmed by news reports and a travel guide, not by a temple or government page: check the price board at the gate. Greenbus fares are not confirmed. The Baan Dam entrance fee and the way from Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1 to the temple are not confirmed: ask at the gate and the terminal.

Prices, timetables and opening hours change; check with the operator before you travel. See how guides are checked.

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