Wat Rong Khun
The northernmost of the provinces in Thailand is Chiang Rai. The largest of the cities in this province has the same name as it is customary. The city is located approximately 50 Km from the border with Myanmar, or Burma as the country was called until 1998. The area alternates between nature and fields. The city is intersected by the river Mae Khok. If you have come up here, it's hardly by chance, but as everywhere there is plenty to look at. One of the places may be the city's Wat Rong Khun temple. It is well located 5 Km south of the city.
The temple started in 1977 by Chalermchai Kositpipat, but as construction progressed, more and more buildings have been built. Everything is done in white and with lots of glass, which is a symbol of Buddhas purity. Even the fish swimming in the pond that goes around the temple are the fish white. Chalermchai Kositpipat is one of Thailand's most renowned artists, and the temple is his gift to his birthplace. I visited the place on December 1st 2009. Inside, an artist has now begun the most spectacular visual art on walls and ceilings.
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Temple seen from the entrance. The bridge that symbolizes Buddha's rebirth leads across the canal with the white fish. This is the first part of the temple that is now almost finished.
2010
The dam with the many white fish
2010
When you pass the bridge you look down on these many hands. A symbol of those who did not believe and now ended in hell.
2010
One of the hands has a faded finger.
2010
Between the many hands, many other characters are seen as this face of the fool itself.
2010
Everywhere there is one amazing figure after another
2010
Here is one of the entrances to one of the temples, nicely decorated in white.
2010
Wall at the entrance. Here is the inspiration earth in flames
2010
An artist on the inside is in the process of painting the ceiling and walls.
2010
Wall at the entrance. Here is the inspiration of World Trade on September 11th.
2010
10 Km from Wat Rong Khun, Chiang Mai has a nice hotel called Piman Inn. Here we stayed for one night.
2010
Nice hotel, but the beds were very hard
2010
Before we leave Chiang Mai we look straight at this statue. It is Po Khun Ming Rai who lived about 800 years ago. Impressive to the Thais so many years after shows a former king so much respect.
2010
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