Thai temple says construction of giant Buddha statue visible across Bangkok nearly complete

[snoop1130]

The giant Buddha statue of Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen temple is seen in Bangkok, Thailand, June 10, 2021. Picture taken June 10, 2021 with a drone. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - A Thai temple building a 69-metre-tall (230 ft) Buddha statue that will be visible across Bangkok said construction was nearly complete but its opening may be pushed back to 2022 due to delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

 

The Royal Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen temple on the outskirts of Bangkok dates back to 1610 and is located on a island created by canals flowing from the Chao Phraya river.

 

Work on the statue, which is as tall as a 20-storey building, started in 2017 and should be completed this year, but due to the coronavirus pandemic the official opening may be pushed back to 2022, said temple spokesman Pisan Sangkapinij.

 

The Phra Buddha Dhammakāya Thepmongkhon statue, made of copper and painted gold, sits in a seated lotus posture.

 

Parts were produced in China before being shipped to Thailand to be assembled.

 

It should be visible from all parts of the raised train line that spans the capital Bangkok, said Pisan.

 

Using $16 million worth of donations, the temple decided to build the statue to honour Buddhism and also as a tribute to former abbot Luang Pu Sodh Candasaro who helped develop the temple as a renowned centre for meditation, he said.

 

The statue has drawn double the number of visitors to the temple than usual, he said, and the temple was expecting more once Thailand's borders, closed due to the pandemic, are reopened to tourists.

 

The tallest Buddha statue in Thailand is the Phra Buddha Maha Nawamin statue in Ang Thong province that is 92 metres high.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-06-21

 

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[jak2002003]

Would Buddah think that all that money, time and effort to make a giant statue of him was in keeping with his teachings I wonder? 

[IraqRon]

whoopdee <deleted>...ing do....

another example of the wasteful lavishing of money to uphold a person's ego....

 

this is the exact same model seen in many places in Thailand, only bigger and more ostentatious

[sherwood]

Why bother. the buddha (If you believe in fairy tales) never asked for anything like this carry-on.

Clowns

[2long]

Not sure how this is news? It's been under construction for 4 years and isn't complete. Nor is there any notable factor for it being early or late. It's just not ready yet, slowed down by Covid.

This article is about as amazing as saying today is the longest day of the year.

[mfd101]

A new Gothic cathedral.

[Disparate Dan]

1 hour ago, IraqRon said:

this is the exact same model seen in many places in Thailand, only bigger and more ostentatious

It's a copy (think MBK). Will go rusty within a year.

I can't see it from here - can I have my money back?

[impulse]

Not my cuppa, but not my money, either.

 

Shows up great on Google Earth.

 

13.721201  100.470965

[worgeordie]

2 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The statue has drawn double the number of visitors to the temple than usual, he said, and the temple was expecting more once Thailand's borders, closed due to the pandemic, are reopened to tourists.

The whole point of building it ....most temples have an attraction..

regards worgeordie

[RichardColeman]

2 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The Phra Buddha Dhammakāya Thepmongkhon statue, made of copper and painted gold, sits in a seated lotus posture.

 

Parts were produced in China before being shipped to Thailand to be assembled.

Think I'd check that copper is not plastic based !

[saminoz]

9 hours ago, worgeordie said:

The whole point of building it ....most temples have an attraction..

regards worgeordie

That's exactly the point Geordie.  They have been on this money scam for so long that they have forgottent what the religion is all about.

At this point, the temples seem to be dens of vice, a convenient refuge/escape for Hi-So felons, huge gilded collection boxes or tourist attractions (or all three combined).

[Benmart]

Idols for idiots. Money magnets having nothing to do with the teachings that have been corrupted by gold and power.

[owl sees all]

World gold shortage imminent.

 

Is it a danger to aircraft?

[ThailandRyan]

Oh for the love of Buddha, another money grabbing tourist attraction for those who come to Thailand for the Temples.  Remind me again of how Buddhist monks are supposed to live an earthly life giving up all possessions, if that is so who the hell will all of the money go to.  It also reminds me of the space ship temple with the billions embezzled by the upper clergy, one of who has gone on the lamb and no effort is being made to find the former leader known as Pra Dhammajayo, the former abbot of the temple who is charged with money laundering and receiving stolen goods.  Then just look at the former leaders within the Supreme Sangha Council who also embezzled money.  Money unfortunately is the root of all evil, well the saying says it is.

[tonray]

11 hours ago, IraqRon said:

this is the exact same model seen in many places in Thailand, only bigger and more ostentatious

Vatican City has moved to Thailand ?

[fvw53]

12 hours ago, mfd101 said:

A new Gothic cathedral.

 

...but Gothic cathedrals did not use parts made in China ????

[clivebaxter]

You can hardly visit any Wat in bkk without building going on, most of it unnecessary or for vanity like this thing. Another Wat will start building another biggest one soon!

[mfd101]

11 hours ago, impulse said:

Not my cuppa, but not my money, either.

 

Shows up great on Google Earth.

 

13.721201  100.470965

Yes, hard to miss.

[brianthainess]

All that money, I am sure all the hungry, jobless people who see it from miles away will feel so-oo much better.

[Venom]

Idol worship is extremely popular in Thailand. 

[Raphael Hythlodaeus]

Nothing to do with Buddhism. Everything to do with virtue signaling and temple money. How about spending the $16-million in donations on the poor?

[Justgrazing]

22 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - A Thai temple building a 69-metre-tall (230 ft) Buddha statue

 

22 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

 

The tallest Buddha statue in Thailand is the Phra Buddha Maha Nawamin statue in Ang Thong province that is 92 metres high

 

Bangkok's Bud' is a bit of a short 'a*se then ..

And the statute must be Bud' in his youth before the onset of rotundness and man boobs ..  

Edited June 22, 2021 by Justgrazing
Sp

[bangon04]

"and the temple was expecting more once Thailand's borders, closed due to the pandemic, are reopened to tourists."

 

yes... the Foreigners will have to pay (extra) to see it.........