Temples of  Thailand - a photographic journey

Bangkok Area      Provinces: Central    North    North-East   West   South  East

Wat Pho Chai

This temple was one of the photographic challenges on our first tour through Isan in 2002, simply because it is so beautiful and offers a picturesque view at every corner or wall (thank God for IBM's 1GB Microdrive...at that time! By 2006 I had a 8GB card!). The temple houses a large Lan Chang-era (a former Kingdom of Laos) Buddha image with very fine characteristics and a head of pure gold. Luang Phor Phra Sai is another one of my favourite Buddha images. The murals in the ubosot tell stories about the image's travel from Laos to Nong Khai. Since every tour bus stops here, this temple can be VERY busy and VERY VERY commercial. Renting the Buddha statues or emblems (note: you cannot buy them in the Thai culture but rather rent them) is done here like a business. There was no friendliness or talking involved. Very sad for such an important temple and Buddha image. 

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