Temples & architecture are represented in many of our trips. Thailand is a Buddhist country and has tens of thousands of Buddhist temples. Buddhism is the largest religion in Thailand, which 93% of the population practices. In the constitution of Thailand, there is no official state religion. This guarantees religious freedom for all Thai citizens, though the king is required to be a Theravada Buddhist.
Buddhism is very much alive in this country. Temples dominate the landscape and are the center of communities. People donate large amounts of money to temples and are involved in volunteering for the temple. Many young men spent at least a couple of months in their lives as a monk in a temple.
All Buddhist temples have an assembly hall (viharn of vihara) and an ordination hall (ubosot). Behind the assembly hall, there usually is a chedi called chetiya, stupa, or pagoda. This temple tower contains the ashes of the Buddha or monks. Other buildings are a library, where they keep the Buddhist scriptures and a clocktower. Some temples have a sala, a kind of multi-functional building.
Many Buddhist temples have a museum. The Wat Ket Museum of Wat Ket Karaam is one of the more popular museums in Chiang Mai, but there are more. There is, for instance, the museum of Wat Chedi Luang. Wat Sung Men near Phrae has the biggest museum of Buddhist palm leaf manuscripts.
Monks are living at temples. In some temples, such as Wat Mon Pu Yak in Lampang, there is only one monk. Other temples have many monks residing, such as Wat Suan Dok and Wat Phantao. Both these temples have Buddhist schools.
Table of Contents The Floating Pagodas Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat is a stunning, modern Buddhist temple complex in the Chae Hom District of Lampang Province. It sits atop the limestone peaks of Doi Phra Bat (also called Doi Pu Yak) at about 815 meters elevation. From a distance, the white and golden stupas appear to […]
Wat Phra That Doi Phra Chan – Lampang’s Mountain Temple Wat Phra That Doi Phra Chan (วัดพระธาตุดอยพระฌาน) has become one of Northern Thailand’s most popular temple destinations. Located on Doi Phra Chan in Mae Tha District, Lampang Province, the temple sits in a stunning hilltop setting. While it has long served as a place of […]
Wat Ban Den: introduction Wat Ban Den, also known as Wat Den Sali Sri Muang Kaen (วัดเด่นสะหลีศรีเมืองแกน), is a striking and increasingly popular Buddhist temple complex that beautifully blends traditional Lanna, Thai, Chinese, and other cultural influences. Spanning a vast 128,000 square meters (80 rai) in Inthakhin village, Mae Taeng district, Chiang Mai Province, it […]
Table of Contents Introduction: Wat Ming Muang Wat Ming Muang (วัดมิ่งเมือง) is a stunning Buddhist temple in the old center of Chiang Rai, on the corner of Trairat and Baanpa Phragarn roads not far from the new Clock Tower. It is an unusual complex with a mysterious history. There are several buildings and there have […]
A forgotten Burmese Temple in Wiang Pa Pao While visiting the National Archives in Bangkok, I discovered an undated photo of Wat Si Sutthawat (วัดศรีสุทธาวาส) in Wiang Pa Pao, Chiang Rai province, captioned “Burmese-style chedi.” Intrigued, I stopped by the temple during a trip to Chiang Rai to learn more. My visit took place on […]
Wat Jet Yod, the Temple of Seven Spires Wat Jet Yod (วัดเจ็ดยอด), located on Jet Yod Road in central Chiang Rai, is a beautiful Buddhist temple known for its unique architecture. The name “Jet Yod” translates to “Seven Spires” in Thai, referring to the seven pagodas of the temple. Chiang Mai has a very different […]
Table of Contents Introduction: Wat Phra That Doi Khao Kwai Wat Phra That Doi Khao Kwai (วัดพระธาตุดอยเขาควาย) is one of the many Buddhist temples in Chiang Rai that receives almost no foreign visitors. Its full name is Wat Phra That Doi Khao Kwai Kaew (วัดพระธาตุดอยเขาควายแก้ว) but people know it as Wat Phra That Doi Khao […]
Table of Contents Introduction Wat San Pa Ko (วัดสันป่าก่อ) aka Wat Thai Yai (วัดไทยใหญ่) is a beautiful temple, next to the old Chiang Rai airport. It is the only Shan-Burmese/Tai Yai temple in Chiang Rai. I have visited this temple several times and I always was the only visitor. This temple has an interesting history […]
Table of Contents Phra That Doi Tung, the temple of the year of the Pig Phra That Doi Tung (พระธาตุดอยตุง) is a spectacular Buddhist temple close to the summit of Doi Tung, the highest peak of the Doi Nang Non mountain range, Chiang Rai province. There are actually two temples: Wat Phra That Doi Tung […]
The Baan Dam Museum The late Chiang Rai artist Thawan Duchanee (1939–2014) created Baan Dam, also known as the Black House. It is also known as the Baan Dam Museum (Thai: พิพิธภัณฑ์บ้านดำ), which is about 12km north of the City of Chiang Rai. It is very different from any other place we know in Thailand. […]