Thailand: Two female tourists pose in rented Thai traditional costumes in the grounds of Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), Bangkok, with two demon-like yaksa or temple guardian statues in the background. Wat Arun Rajwararam (Temple of the Dawn), is a Thai Buddhist temple on the Thonburi west bank side of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. It is named after Aruna, the Indian God of Dawn. A monastery has stood here since the Ayutthayan period (1351 - 1767), but the temple's outstanding feature, the Khmer-style central prang, was not begun until 1809, during the reign of King Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (Rama II).