The White Temple and around Chiang Rai

Wat Rong Khun, perhaps better known to foreigners as the White Temple, is a contemporary, unconventional, privately  owned art exhibit in the style of a Buddhist temple in Chiang Rai Province, and is one of the most recognizable temples in Thailand. It is owned by Chalermchai Kositpipat, who designed, constructed, and opened it to visitors in 1997. It is open all year round and admission is free.  Although it is without doubt a tourist magnet, I recommend a visit.  Arrive early ahead of the tour buses you'll enjoy it more. 

Here are some photos from the White Temple, and here and there around Chiang Rai.


Recognize anyone?


Wishing Well, with crystal clear water.


The Golden Rest Room at the White Temple





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Taking pictures of the tourits






The Singha lion

Kuan Yin, the Divine Goddess of Mercy.
Kuan Yin is a bodhisattva, an enlightened being who has put off liberation from the world in the Buddhist religion. As Kuan Yin approached enlightenment, she looked back and saw and heard suffering all over the world. She loved humanity to the extent that she could not bear to leave the world in such a bad state. She decided to stay on Earth until every soul attained liberation from pain and suffering.



Anywhere you find a wat you are likely  to see some renovation/restoration taking place.











 

If you can't beat 'em...

Poy Sang Long Festival


 The Poy Sang Long (Festival of the Crystal Sons) is a traditional rite of passage held every year among the Shan, or Tai Yai, people of Myanmar and northern Thailand.  The ceremony goes on for three days.
First, the boys’ heads and eyebrows are shaved by their parents or other relatives.  Then they are made up and dressed in colorful finery, transforming them into “Jeweled Princes” in imitation of Lord Buddha.
For the next three days the boys are carried everywhere – they are only allowed to touch the ground inside a temple or at home.
In the evening the boys are carried by their fathers or another relative in a traditional dance of celebration.
On the third day the boys are divested of all their finery and dressed in the simple saffron robes of a Buddhist monk.  They enter the monastery and are expected to remain there for at least a week, and sometimes they remain for many years.
It is believed that the boys and their parents will gain favor from going through this process.
This is one of the most fun and colorful events I have attended in Thailand.  Blurred photos have been purposefully added to give you a sense of the dancing.




 

































Father and son looking forward to their turn.