While in Thailand, I took a trip up north to Chiang Rai to see a temple that has a lot of controversy surrounding it. Wat Rong Khun, also known as The White Temple, is still under construction and when completed, will have 9 buildings total (as of now there is only 1 completed).
The controversy that surrounds this temple is that:
- The temple was a donation from a rich Thai businessman but Chalermchai Kositpipat was the artist who built it. He changed the original plans and added his own thoughts on how the temple should look.
- Unlike any wat or temple you will find in Thailand, this one had a unique theme running through it. The pit with all the hands is a representation of hell. The murals inside the temple are very modern and contemporary, which shows things like McDonald’s, satellites, and human sperm. The message is what people in life are consumed by, and what they need to do to let go of this consummation and be happy.
Traditional Buddhists don’t agree with the artist, but it’s hard to argue as it has put Chiang Rai on the map for both Thais and tourists. It’s a must see temple, and for me I like to call it the “Taj Mahal of Thailand.” If you are near Chiang Mai, make the 2-hour trip further North/East and spend a day there. Even if you have been temple’d out while in Asia, you won’t regret seeing this place, and the photo opportunities are endless.
- Open Daily : 8:00 am- 6:00 pm
- Tel: 0 5367 3579
- Fax: 0 5367 3539
- Brochure can be downloaded here
Passing the pit of hell into the temple.
The bridge from hell to heaven
Would you believe this isn't another temple...it's the bathrooms!
Statues from the pit of hell
Everything was in plain concrete except for the middle finger that was painted red. Now you know why their is so much controversy over this temple.
This is the best anti-smoking statue I have ever seen.
At first I thought this was an offering to the Gods
...but no it wasn't. Just telling you that you can't smoke here and that smoking is for the devil.
