Wat Phrasriratanaram, Inc., the Buddhist Temple & Meditation Center of Greater St. Louis, was founded by the Thai Buddhist community of Greater St. Louis in 1983, as a Thai Theravada Buddhist Temple. The purposes of founding this Temple were to create a teaching and practicing center of Buddhism according to the Theravada tradition, as well as, a teaching center of Thai culture, tradition and Thai language.

Originally, the Temple located at 4000 Hartford Street, St. Louis, MO 63116 during the years 1983 - 1990. Since July 1, 1990, the Temple relocated to 890 Lindsay Lane, Florissant, MO 63031. The Temple normally houses 4 - 5 Buddhist monks, ordained in Thailand according to the Thai Theravada tradition, and they have been in the monkshood for at least 10 - 15 years. They depend on the lay community for the basic necessities of life, including food, clothing, shelter, and medication.

In return, they give spiritual guidance to the lay community. The Thai Buddhist monks observe 227 precepts or moral codes, including practicing celibacy. The Temple has successfully served the Thai community and the Laotian community of Greater St. Louis, as well as the general public, as a center for studying and practicing Buddhism.