Visiting Buddhist temples is a must on any tour program in Thailand. It’s not just for the rituals, although they can be, but rather for the extraordinary architecture. Intricate ornaments, sculptures and masks (some even scary) attract the eye and fascinate. Today we would like to tell you about 10 of the most beautiful and unusual temples in Thailand which are definitely worth seeing.
1
Prasat Mai in Pattaya
The tallest temple in Thailand, Prasat Mai translates as “The Temple of Truth.” It is located in Pattaya, on Cape Richwat (Naklua district). Its height is more than one hundred meters, but the most interesting thing is that the entire structure is made of wood. This is a new building, it was laid in 1981 on the whim of a philanthropist and millionaire named Lek Viriyapan. The architectural style is closer to the ancient Khmer religious buildings, decorated with sculptural compositions carved by hand. The Temple of Truth in Thailand is still under construction, and work will continue for another ten years. During the tour, you can watch carvers reproducing mythological scenes from China, Cambodia, India and Thailand.
2
Wat Rong Khun in Chiang Rai
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Cult structure built in the city of Chiang Rai. It has a second name of “White Temple”. It is indeed white, and the decorative pattern along the edge of the roof slopes gives the illusion of snow and frost on them. The White Temple in Thailand is the Thai Sagrada Familia. When constructing it, the artist Chalermchai Kositpipat departed somewhat from Buddhist canons and created a surrealistic composition. For example, the panel in the main hall, which depicts a scene of the struggle between Good and Evil, features characters from the Star Wars saga. The building is being built solely on voluntary donations, you can do your part for this noble cause.
3
Wat Lan Kuad in Sisaket Province
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Located in the province of Sisaket. It is safe to say that it is the most unusual Buddhist temple in Thailand, because glass bottles were used in its construction – about two million beer bottles of brown and green glass. Even the mosaics on the facade were lined with metal caps. The idea of building such a religious structure arose after the environmental campaign, conducted in the mid-eighties of the last century to clean up the neighborhood from the trash, which was activated by Buddhist monks. The mountain of glass debris was so impressive that the decision to build a spiritual building out of it came of its own accord.
4
Wat Ta Nod Luang in Hua Hin
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Thai temple built in the shape of a ship. A landmark in the city of Hua Hin. A strange mix of traditional Buddhist sacred attributes and elements of ship’s rigging. At the entrance to the main hall stands a elephant with a ship’s helm placed on its back, the central panel depicts a scene of a shipwreck. It was built ten years ago, but it is located near the monastery, where the followers of Buddhism come from all over the world to worship a relic – the figure of monk Luang Phor Thong Suk, which is more than four hundred years old. It is possible that this is the oldest temple in Thailand, which predates the unified kingdom of Siam.
5
Wat Arun in Bangkok
Located in downtown Bangkok, on the right bank of the Chao Praya River. It is dedicated to the deity Arun, who is in charge of sunlight, so its second name is the “Temple of the Morning Dawn”. The complex consists of five stair towers, the central one being the tallest, it has one of the most popular viewing platforms in Bangkok. The staircase is very steep, it symbolizes the life path of Buddha to enlightenment and is decorated with many of his sculptural images. On a cloudy day the temple is somehow gray, but when the sun looks out, a color extravaganza begins – the rays are reflected from the porcelain mosaics and ceramic tiles. According to connoisseurs, the best point from which it looks most majestic is the surface of the river. Try a morning ride on the riverboat to see for yourself.
6
Wat Tham Suea in Krabi Province
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If you want to see a cave temple in Thailand, go to Krabi province. Located on Ao Luk Thanu Mountain, the temple complex is different from most Thai places of worship in style. It is more Chinese. The main hall, the Tiger Cave Temple, is a natural formation, a grotto in which monks pray. Its walls are riddled with entrances to the cells, and the hall is considered the most suitable place for meditation in all of Thailand. There is also a statue of the first abbot, monk Ajahn Jamien Silasetho, who mastered the art of meditation to perfection. Unfamiliar European tourists may be shocked by the bones and skulls around it, as well as drawings of human internal organs. Read also an interesting article about the most popular temples in Krabi.
7
Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua in Kanchanaburi
You’ll have to work up the courage to visit this spiritual structure in Sai Yok District, Kanchanaburi Province. The Tiger Temple in Thailand is so named because tigers actually walk on its paths. They are almost tame, at least the monks are considered their best friends. And there’s a reason for that. Around it stretches a jungle full of wild animals, a real paradise for poachers. Locals, finding orphaned tiger cubs in the forest, would take them to the nearest monastery, where they would receive proper care. Eventually, the animals became so numerous that they had to set up a kind of interactive zoo, and volunteers had to be hired to work with them. In addition to the striped cats, this embodiment of Buddhist tolerance is also home to other fauna of Thailand.
8
Wat Phra Kaeo in Bangkok
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The Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Thailand is not a quite ordinary place of worship, but the house church of the royal dynasty. That’s why it is located in The Royal Palace of Bangkok, a historic quarter of Thailand’s capital. It preserves a relic – a small statue of Buddha made of jade, which has a green color. According to legend, it was found at the base of the stupa, cut by a lightning strike. It has accompanied the monarchs of Siam since the mid-15th century, traveling with them from one capital city to another. It is the largest temple complex in Thailand and all can enter it, but the entrances for monarchs and pilgrims are separated. The royal entrance is guarded by two bronze lions brought from Cambodia by Rama I.
The statue is only 66 centimeters tall, but it sits on a golden throne and is decorated with all the opulence inherent in Southeast Asia. At different times of the year it looks different, taken care of by the monks who dress the statue with their own hands. The security of the Thai temple is entrusted to the demons of Hufa, and although they are only statues, but they give the appropriate impression. The main hall is decorated with paintings illustrating the mythological story “Ramayana”, there are plots from the life of Buddha, as well as the king of monkeys. There is also a royal pantheon and full-length statues of all eight monarchs of the Chakri dynasty.
9
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai province
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There are not many ancient temple complexes in Thailand, and one of them is located in Chiang Mai province, on Mount Doi Suthep. It was founded in the 14th century, but it was practically unvisited until 1935, because it was located in the impenetrable jungle. According to legend, a white elephant found the site. Monks put Buddhist relics on its back and sent it for a walk. When he got to the top of the mountain, he started trumpeting. There is now a statue of an elephant on that spot. This Thai temple on a high mountain is a great vantage point. It is not easy to get up to it, the stairs are quite steep. It is believed that a pilgrim who has done this is purified from his sins.
10
Wat Traimit in Bangkok
It is located in Bangkok and is called the Golden Buddha Temple. It is one of the most popular places that tourists don’t pass by. It is named for the reason that in its center there is a statue of the Buddha sitting in the Lotus pose. It is believed that it is made of pure gold, but this is more of a legend. It was made by traditional technology – cast in plaster and decorated with gold leaf. For greater authenticity, the eyes are inlaid with pearls and the pupils with black sapphire.
Temples on a map of ThailandUse the arrow keys to navigate.
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Map Data © 2022 Google, TMap Mobility Images ©2022 TerraMetrics
Map Data © 2022 Google, TMap Mobility Images ©2022 TerraMetrics
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