Thailand earthquake: Wat Rong Khun, the 'White Temple' is beyond repair

[webfact]

Wat Rong Khun is beyond repair



BANGKOK: -- National artist and constructor of Wat Rong Khun or the White Temple Chalermchai Kositpipat said Tuesday that the temple is now beyond repair and may be left as a monument for the world to remember its past glory.

Ajarn Chalermchai expressed his deep regret for the damage caused by what he called “the nature” after the temple was again struck by two aftershocks following the major 6.3 magnitude quake at 6.08 p.m. Monday night.

He said at first he thought the temple could be repaired back to normal but the two aftershocks brought down his hope as it now was beyond his capability to bring it back to normal.

He said the mural paintings which took him almost his lifetime to create on the wall and ceiling were gone with the collapse of the wall and ceiling.

“It was the masterpiece of the art work that was created and could not be created again as I had devoted to creating it in almost 20 years.”

He said the temple could be rebuilt but it would not be the same as the art work he devoted his life to create could never be made.

He said he was now old enough to spend another 20 years to create.

“Everything is finished and I may leave the temple, a world’s masterpiece, to remain as it is now for the latter generation to remember.”

He said he did not want any government organisation to lend a helping to reconstruct it because he is the sort of a peron who never depends on other’s hands.

He said he did not want any assistance as he did not want interference, or listen to order if he accepted the assistance.

He said he would like to leave the temple as a monument for visitors to remember its glorious past as now it was beyond repair.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/wat-rong-khun-beyond-repair/


-- Thai PBS 2014-05-06

[Tywais]

That's sad as it is a remarkably beautiful temple. One of its kind here AFAIK.

[bigbamboo]

With the plethora of same same temples in Thailand this unique one gets ruined by an act of god.

Is someone up there trying to tell us something?

[Thailand]

So sad.

It was a must see for our guests on the way up to the Golden Triangle.

Watched it taking shape over the years. Likely to affect a lot of livelihoods in the immediate vicinity.

[MESmith]

With the plethora of same same temples in Thailand this unique one gets ruined by an act of god.

Is someone up there trying to tell us something?

An act of god? Were you snoozing during geology lessons?

[marko kok prong]

Feel sorry for the guy,kinda know how he feels a little,when my ex in Aus,took the house off me,she devoted the next year to destroying the gardens it had taken ten years+ to create,cutting down every tree,,digging up the rockery,knocking down the kids cubby house,i had the last laugh though,when i told her she had probably wiped $20,000 off the value of the house,still sorry to drift off topic there but really must be heart breaking for the poor fellow.

[delh]

Very sad indeed. I'm so pleased I made the effort to go to see it. Remarkable temple.

[terminatorchiangmai]

The inside paintings are not a big miss is my opinion.

The paintings in Doi Saket temple from the same artist are much nicer.

I hope the temple will be restored and this time decorated with more Buddhist like paintings.

[re_fuse]

very sad

Edited May 6, 2014 by re_fuse

[Deaw]

With the plethora of same same temples in Thailand this unique one gets ruined by an act of god.

Is someone up there trying to tell us something?

An act of god? Were you snoozing during geology lessons?

I was going to say something more wise-arse-ish due to my atheistic leanings, but this sounds about right - and much more polite

[HeavyDrinker]

No matter what one's beliefs may be, the fact that a remarkable, not to say unique building has been damaged is sad. In these days of ugliness, any work of beauty should be cherished by all.

[darren84310]

With the plethora of same same temples in Thailand this unique one gets ruined by an act of god.

Is someone up there trying to tell us something?

Depends if you believe in God.

[JohnThailandJohn]

Wat Rong Khun is beyond repair

I HIGHLY doubt this.

[RubbaJohnny]

I must state as someone who passes it regularly it is not to my taste being the Frosting Ice-cum Schloss Neuschwanstein style of over the top Baroque much loved by tose trying to escape materialism via the slow path,Theravada.

However a real tragedy for the tourist folks and vendors who unlike most of us have no safety net,we often scoff at mnor money disputes but most have little state support,saving pension or future.

I'm sure it will be preserved as a monument to lack of mindfulness of building techniques and the inevitable replacement next door will also tumble in a rumble.

Another Golden Triangle temple was damaged when I had just bare walls lacking 5 ton cap on my pyramid,howver I did have a Chicago Architectural check and an Alaskan qualified building consultant on site

[MILT]

Incredible mind boggling detail! True original creation.

It will be missed!

[chiang mai]

It is one of a kind and not one of many, if you'd seen it you would understand that.

[Paul888]

It's his initial reaction whilst probably still in shock.

I am sure that as the weight of public and government support builds, he will make a dramatic re-consideration and restore it to its former glory.

When you work as hard as that guy did to build something, you won't give up on it so easy no matter how hard the task.

[kuiburi]

A reminder to all of us , nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky .

Feel sorry for the bloke looks like it was his baby and creation for 2 decades .

[MESmith]

It's his initial reaction whilst probably still in shock.

I am sure that as the weight of public and government support builds, he will make a dramatic re-consideration and restore it to its former glory.

When you work as hard as that guy did to build something, you won't give up on it so easy no matter how hard the task.

Sounds more like the murals have been destroyed. The buildings could be repaired, but 20 yrs of art work gone.

[wileycoyote]

A shame.

An unusual piece of architecture that always brought wonder and respect

[Traveller45]

Beautiful. The delicate structural work alone, I think, deserves being kept up. Probably there are ways to do it. Inject concrete, create an auxiliary inner structure. It can all be done. Will require "some" money. Here's an object for some of the filthy rich of that particular area to redeem themselves

[VocalNeal]

A reminder to all of us

That seismic precautions need to be taken when building in the far north?

[Docno]

It's his initial reaction whilst probably still in shock.

I am sure that as the weight of public and government support builds, he will make a dramatic re-consideration and restore it to its former glory.

When you work as hard as that guy did to build something, you won't give up on it so easy no matter how hard the task.

Sounds more like the murals have been destroyed. The buildings could be repaired, but 20 yrs of art work gone.

I love the architecture of the place, but was never so fond of the murals... the images of Neo (from the Matrix), 911 attacks, aliens, Michael Jackson, Spiderman, etc., while unique in a religious context, were a little obvious/pandering/juvenile IMHO. [Reminds me of the stuff I used to draw in my teens when I was trying to be profound and deeply symbolic]. Of course, others are bound to react differently. And I do sympathise with the artist over this loss..

[PostmanPat]

"Masterpiece"? "Past Glory"...........the place has only been completed these past ten years, Masterpiece, that depends on your opinion of art.....but "Past Glory".....sorry, the whole place is what in Europe would be called "A Folly"......something a bit odd put up by someone who wants to be remembered but doesnt necesssarily have real artistic temperament.

Van Gogh, Leonardo, Monet, etc etc, it sure isnt !

For me it has about the same value as that mini re creation of Angkor Wat at the hot spring on the way to Chiang Rai !

[cloudhopper]

A reminder to all of us , nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky .

Feel sorry for the bloke looks like it was his baby and creation for 2 decades .

Yes the Buddha taught that every form is temporary.

[chiangmaiexpat]

Sounds overly dramatic. From the photos this hardly looks like "beyond repair".

Cheers, CM-Expat

[sweatalot]

very sad

loved it very much and adore the creator

wanted to show it to my visiting children

next week

[brucegoniners]

So incredibly sad!

I saw it when I was on my honeymoon.

Mother nature can do some horrible things.

Being from San Francisco I know all about earthquakes and how destructive they can be.

[harrry]

I guess there are some who will say it is Karma for his 9/11 painting on the wall.

[normac44]

How sad I really loved that place,Any Photos yet of the damage? Where any other buildings affected?