White Temple of Chiang Rai - Unique Haunting Experience.

White Temple of Chiang Rai – Unique Haunting Experience.

The White Temple of Chiang Rai – Unique Haunting Experience. is a hauntingly beautiful temple located about 15 kilometers south of the city. It is quite special to Thai Buddhists being a very unique design with its white finish and unusual statues. Walking around the temple you see the stares of amazement on both Thai and tourists faces alike looking into the pits of hell with hands reaching up pleading for help under the bridges leading to the main temple.

The White Temple of Chiang Rai – Unique Haunting Experience. Temple sets itself apart from others with the depiction of hell in the pools which is a quite unexpected from a temple. Certainly there are few temples this scary depiction of hells turmoil and suffering are visible.

Hands reaching upward with contorted faces trying to escape their cruel fate they created on earth are quite haunting. Artists created this depiction to remind those who’s earthly lives are less than perfect, what’s in store for them. The hands and faces lie in the pools below the long bridge entrance to the temple pleading for help.

Wat Rong Khun (White Temple).

The White Temple of Chiang Rai – Unique Haunting Experience. It is actually privately owned art gallery as much as a temple. The central feature of the grounds is the temple itself but it is surrounded by the art gallery. Opened to the public back in 1977, it had drawn visitors from around the world. The owner as well as designer is a famous artist in Thailand called Chalermchai Kositpipat. Renowned for creating many unique artistic creations in and out of Thailand.

Chiang Rai White Temple Construction.

The temple is unique in its pure white appearance signifying the purity of Buddha. The outer layer of the temple is quite d unusual in that glass has been embedded into its rendered finish so as to make it sparkle in the light. The glass symbolizes the Buddha’s wisdom and the knowledge in the Dhamma, the Buddhist teachings.

Earthquake Damage.

Chiang Rai experienced an earthquake back on the 5th May 2014 of which I experienced personally. It was very strong, centered south of Chiang Rai, there was considerable damage to homes, roads and sadly the White Temple itself.

The owner, Mr. Chalermchai Kositpipat decided to restore the temple as well as expand it further. Visiting the temple just after the earthquake the damage was extensive including spires broken on top of the temple plus cracked cement and broken tiles dislodged from the roof.

White Temple of Chiang Rai – Expansion.

Repairs got underway when deemed safe and was then decided to expanded the complex to offer features like an Obosot. This special building for housing Buddhist relics. In total it’s planned to have nine buildings in total in the complex. The number nine has significance to Thai Buddhists. It is regarded as a special number.

In addition it is planned to have a meditation hall as well as Budhist monk lodgings plus an art gallery. If your into meditation you can book sessions at the temple.

The Obosot is the main temple building and most recognizable for the bridges leading up over the poor soles trying to escape hell. There also are number of fish tanks holding some quite large fish.

Chiang Rai White Temple Gallery

The art gallery is a beautiful building to walk through. It’s likely to change around over time and you can sometimes find the builder, Mr Chalermchai Kositpipat on-site and is apparently happy to have pictures taken with him.

The Golden Building.

The Golden Building is somewhat unique in its finish. Its golden color depicts the world’s desire for wealth and possessions. This golden home is primarily a rest room.

The gold building strives to guide people toward making merit and focus on the mind instead of possessions.

Making Merit (Tum Boon)?

Making merit is very typically a Thai and Buddhist concept. In daily life it is part of daily life practices by all.

It can be as simple as offering monks food when they call for alms in the morning (Bin Prabart). Also making donations and helping other people and family can be considered as merit also known a “Tum Boon” in Thai.

How to Make Merit.

If you have a desire to make merit it is quite simple if you meet monks on their daily morning rounds. They will walk often bare foot even in the rain. If they are approaching you should crouch down and offer them packaged food purchased from the market, dried food, water, drink and even some money. It’s up to you but villagers offer 20Thb to 100Thb.

When the monk stops in front of you he will offer the bowl to you. You should place the items and any money into the bowl. The monk will then offer a prayer to you to keep you safe and well. You should remain crouched and “Wai” which is akin to praying by holding your hands together at your chin height and bow your head.

Please note the monks don’t generally offer any conversation, nor.do they thankyou for your offering. They will pray and simply turn moving on down the street.

Visiting Chiang Rai White Temple.

It’s a beautiful place to visit with a lot to see at the Chiang Rai White Temple. Culturally many westerners are not aware of cultural requirements so please take note. Men and women should be dressed modestly, so shorts and short dresses are frowned upon. If required you may be offered a covering so better to be prepared.

Always take your shoes off when entering a temple or a Thai home. From the steps up to the temple you should be without shoes. Again wearing of singlets or revealing clothes for both men and women is also frowned upon. Wear a nice loose top/ shirt with a long pants and a longer dress if possible and you wont Great to be bothered by anyone.

Author.

Brendon McAliece is an expatriate Australian who has spent about 40 years both visiting & living in Thailand. He lives in Chiang Rai with his Thai born wife of 37 years. He speaks fluent Thai and loves to share his experiences.

One response to “White Temple of Chiang Rai – Unique Haunting Experience.”

Som says:

2022-07-12 at 6:04 pm

Love the post. Wish I could visit the White Temple.