The Fine Arts Department (FAD) is knocking down the metal structures of two pavilions at Wat Kalayanamit under its plan to rebuild and repair historical buildings damaged by development projects at the temple.
These structures are becoming an eyesore hindering the beauty of Wihan Luang, the temple's main vihara, said director-general Anandha Chuchoti as he inspected the demolition on Friday.
He said the only solution is to remove them.
The demolition will take seven days.
The century old Wihan Luang, built at the behest of King Rama III, is a royal shrine housing the highly respected Buddha statue Luang Pho To. Its grand size has made Wat Kalayanamit an iconic temple on the west side of the Chao Phraya River.
The FAD had a plan to "revive" a historical pavilion that had co-existed with Wihan Luang before the arrival of controversial new developments, Mr Anandha said.
The temple abbot eventually agreed with the project while the Crown Property Bureau will finance the construction which will cost about 5 million baht, he said, expecting it will take about five months to finish.
"The talks between the abbot and department have so far gone smoothly," the director-general said.
"But our legal dispute still exists and will continue under the course of law."