Superman At Wat Rong Khun, Chiang Rai

[Xangsamhua]

Interesting short piece and some lovely photos of the whimsical Wat Rong Khun.

Near the city of Chiang Rai, in northern Thailand, shines Wat Rong Khun, a Buddhist temple poised to become one of the most stunningly beautiful in the world. Painted all white for purity with glittering glass for the teaching of the Buddha, the temple is designed by the Thai Buddhist artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, and is expected to be finished in 2070.

Wat Rong Khun is rich with symbolism derived from Buddhist and Hindu traditions, as well as some more unorthodox sources. Inside, Wat Rong Khun contains the expected statues of the Buddha, but the Buddhist artist has also included images of Superman, Batman, and Neo from The Matrix who he believes further the Buddha's message.

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[camerata]

Jeez, I wouldn't call Wat Rong Khun beautiful, but it certainly is interesting.

[sabaijai]

'Tacky' would be a better description of the art and architecture at Wat Rong Khun

[villagefarang]

Its not all that bad.

[camerata]

Rococo on steroids. The same goes for the awful clock tower in the town centre. However, I do like the X-rated male and female guardians at the entrance to the temple bridge.

[harrry]

Its not all that bad.

It's not all that good.

[rijb]

“How much easier it is to be critical than to be correct.”

― Benjamin Disraeli

[camerata]

Ironically, the north of Thailand is renowned for the beauty of its old wooden temples. Wat Rong Khun looks like generic central style with Burmese-style spires at the back. But beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. When I did a Google search for "beautiful temples in Thailand," Wat Rong Khun came up in many of the results. Must be its fairytale appearance.

[rijb]

There were a lot more trees in the old days. “Wat Lan Kuad” is another interesting 'work-around'...

Edited May 2, 2012 by rijb

[villagefarang]

There are still a few trees around back where they don't block the view.

[khaowong1]

It looks like something out of a fairy tale movie to me. Kind of like the castle of that wicked ice witch in Naranda or whatever was the name of that movie.

[weary]

It's a fantastic monument over just how obsessive signage can get.