A Buddhist temple had existed at the site of Wat Arun since the time of the Ayutthaya Kingdom., after the village of Bang Makok in which it was situated. According to the historian Prince Damrong Rajanubhab, the temple was shown in French maps during the reign of King Narai. The temple was renamed Wat Chaeng by King Taksin when he established his new capital of Thonburi near the temple, following the fall of Ayutthaya. It is believed that Taksin vowed to restore the temple after passing it at dawn. The temple enshrined the Emerald Buddha image before it was transferred to Wat Phra Kaew on the river's eastern bank in 1785.The temple was located in grounds of the royal palace during Taksin's reign, before his successor, Rama I, moved the palace to the other side of the river. It was abandoned, for a long period of time, until Rama II, who restored the temple and extended the pagoda to 70m.
Wat arun Located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River with Arun Amarin Road at its back, it can be reached by boat from Tha Chang Pier near Wat Phra Kaeo or Tha Tian Pier near Wat Pho.wat arun Constructed in the 17th century,It was then known as Wat Makok it is attractive in its striking prangs which are decorated with millions of pieces of Chinese porcelain.
Its central prang, at a height of 82 metres is the tallest prang of Thailand. You can climb up to a high level to have a good view of the Chao Phraya River and the nearby surroundings. Anyway, the most beautiful view of it is from the east bank of the river at sunset.