Temple of Dawn hosts drone shows from 13 November 2026

The Temple of Dawn hosts drone formations during Vijit Chao Phraya 2026 in Bangkok, with the festival running from 13 November to 13 December 2026. The riverside programme places Thailand's best-known temple landmarks within a month of light installations, projection mapping and cultural performances.

Vijit Chao Phraya 2026 brings drones to the riverfront

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has organised the festival along both banks of the Chao Phraya River, between Rama III Bridge and Rama VIII Bridge. The programme combines illuminated landmarks with multimedia displays and special performances at selected riverside sites.

The Temple of Dawn is listed as the backdrop for illuminated drone formations on 12, 13, 18, 20, 25 and 27 November, followed by 2, 4, 9 and 11 December 2026. The scheduled formation is one performance on each listed evening at 7.50pm, according to the published programme from Nation Thailand.

The wider event is presented as Vijit Chao Phraya 2026 and is open to the public along the riverfront. A separate report by Thairath Online also lists the temple as a drone venue and gives the same dates and time.

The Temple of Dawn gives the festival its historic backdrop

The Buddhist temple stands on the western bank of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. Its central prang is decorated with seashells and pieces of Chinese porcelain, details recorded by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

The building has undergone several restoration campaigns. The most extensive recent work on the main prang took place from 2013 to 2017 under the direction of Thailand's Fine Arts Department, while the temple's architectural and decorative features remain part of its visitor identity.

That combination of a riverside position and a decorated central prang explains the programme's specific visual link: the drones are not simply scheduled somewhere in Bangkok, but are assigned to a landmark named as one of the festival's special performance locations.

What the programme means for an evening visit

The special displays occur after the temple's normal daytime visitor period, so the drone schedule should be treated as a riverfront viewing programme rather than a promise of extended interior access. The published event information identifies the temple as a backdrop, while viewing arrangements can depend on the riverbank and the current organiser's notices.

Visitors planning around the festival should distinguish the listed drone evenings from the event's wider daily displays. The programme includes 17 riverside locations, among them historic temples, bridges, museums and modern buildings, with different sites carrying different forms of illumination or performance.

Visiting Temple of Dawn: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• The festival runs from 13 November to 13 December 2026, and drone formations are scheduled at the Temple of Dawn on the listed November and December evenings.
• The temple is the named backdrop for the drone display; the programme does not state that its interior remains open during the evening performance.
• The landmark is on the western bank of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, within the festival area between Rama III Bridge and Rama VIII Bridge.
• The site is an active Buddhist temple with a central prang decorated with seashells and Chinese porcelain.
• Thailand's official language is Thai and its national currency is the baht.
• Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.

For a visit planned around the drone programme, the relevant dates are 13, 18, 20, 25 and 27 November and 2, 4, 9 and 11 December 2026, alongside the additional listed date of 12 November.

Searching for Temple of Dawn on social platforms

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Frequently asked questions about Temple of Dawn

When does Vijit Chao Phraya 2026 take place at the Temple of Dawn?

The festival runs from 13 November to 13 December 2026. Drone formations at the temple are scheduled on selected evenings during that period.

What is the Temple of Dawn?

It is a Buddhist temple on the western bank of Bangkok's Chao Phraya River, known for its central prang decorated with seashells and Chinese porcelain.

Where is the Temple of Dawn and how do you get there?

The landmark is on the western bank of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. It lies within the Vijit Chao Phraya riverfront area between Rama III Bridge and Rama VIII Bridge.