The number of temples we’ve visited on this trip is overwhelming and a count I’ve never attempted to keep. Many blend together but a few – like each of the Angkor Wat temples – and Wat Rong Khun are sufficiently unique to stand apart.

 WhiteTemple12 WhiteTemple13Known as the White Temple, Wat Rong Khun was built by a wealthy artist/architect beginning in 1997. In time, he plans to have an entire Buddhist compound on the site and the frame of a meditation center sits squarely beside the temple. Photos are not permitted inside the temple and guards get antsy about people taking too many photos outside – more than once we were yelled at to move on but we’ve done our best to give you a glimpse of this unusual place.

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What's Predator doing here?
What’s Predator doing here?
Pinhead, Hellboy and Freddy Krueger's heads?
Pinhead, Hellboy, and Freddy Krueger’s heads?

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The golden bathroom.
The golden bathroom.

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Just a taste of the mural inside with a bit of earthquake damage. Neo from The Matrix…
... and Kung-Fu Panda.
… and Kung-Fu Panda.

 

The White Temple's version of a parking cone.
The White Temple’s version of a parking cone.

An earthquake in the spring of 2014 caused structural damage to the temple but in some ways, I think the broken bit at the top is appropriate to this irreverent place of worship.

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The White Temple is located a bit south of Chiang Rai and admission is free. If you’re in the area, it’s well worth a detour.

2 thoughts on “Wat Rong Khun – The White Temple

  • August 28, 2014 at 8:54 pm
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    This looks so cool! And, dare I say, City Boy Fun Park-ish?

  • September 1, 2014 at 8:50 am
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    Definitely City Boy Fun Park-ish!

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