Wat Roong Koon (warning: cultural post)

[Bob]

A few weeks ago, I again visited the "wedding cake temple" known as Wat Roong Koon, located a few kilometers south of Chiangrai. If you are ever up in that neck of the woods, it's a rather unique temple to visit.

I don't remember the artist/architect's name but he's made this temple and surrounding buildings as his personal project to honor the King. It supposedly won't be finished for another 4-6 years but what is finished now is well worth a stop if you are in the area. There's another photo in the archives somewhere that I took about 18 months ago and you can now see that the
buildings immediately behind the main temple are almost completed.

Here's the view of the main temple:



The front entry way through the elephant tusks:


The somewhat bizarre figures in cement:


Inside the main temple:


Buidling immediately behind the main temple:


Pagoda-style bridge under construction:


A worker on the bridge contemplating when to start working again......


Other buldings (perhaps the monastery) on the grounds:

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The somewhat bizarre figures in cement:

Obviously the groom pursued by boyfriends past

[bao-bao]

Those are really nice pictures - I haven't been there myself, but I guess I'll try to soon.

I see there's only one picture in your photo album here - it'd be great to see more there from you when time allows!

Wow yes! I must go and see this temple thanks for the excellent photo's. Where is Chiangrai, what else is in this area?

I saw that temple 2 years ago. Its quite beautiful in a bling-bling sort of way. From what I understand it is at its most spectacular when viewed by the light of the full moon.
Unfortunately its a bit out in the boondocks. I think most people catch it while on the way to/from Chiang Rai. If I remember correctly its about 1/2 hr from Chiang Rai.
The artist's name is Chalermchai Kositpipat. He does a lot of New Age/psycedelic type paintings. Very 1960's I used to have a weblink to his site but lost it long ago.
Here's how the main Buddha image looked 2 years ago...

From 2 years ago


I wonder why they removed the landscaping. It wasn't anything great anyway



Note the limited use of mirrored glass. It really makes the structure sparkle when the light hits it just right