Wat Rong Khun
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Chalermchai Kositpipat
, the man
behind the vision and construction (and present owner), created his masterpiece in 1997 and has allowed free access to
the public ever since its inception. Revered and abhorred in equal measure, the Wat Rong Khun, as the
‘temple’ is officially known, is certainly a sight to behold and should not be missed by anyone travelling to Chiang
Rai. Due to a recent earthquake which caused some minor damage, the temple’s interior is temporarily closed for repair
work, yet the 14km side trip from Chiang Rai is still very much a worthwhile exercise.
The Idea Behind the Wat Rong Khun
Kositpipa has been called everything from genius to lunatic, and after spending a few hours exploring his treasured artwork, most visitors come away with the impression that he is probably a little of both. Do bring sunglasses if visiting on a particularly sunny day. Much like Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni, staring at the temple for too long can seriously damage one’s retina.
the hands - Wat Rong Khun">Take a Stroll through the Temple
In order to reach the temple, one must cross an intricately carved bridge which crosses a moat, in front of which you’ll see countless sculptures of outreaching arms; meant to represent unabashed desire. The bridge is a symbolic gateway to heaven, which one can only reach if one foregoes all temptations of greed, desire, and lust.At Kositpipa’s version of the Pearly Gates
,
you’ll see two enormous statues, representing Death and Fate, which will mark your entry to the main temple. Inside,
instead of the usual and obviously far-too-mainstream scenes of Buddhist good VS evil, you’ll be greeted by images
inspired by modern events, science fiction, and modern pop culture. Everyone from Spiderman, Batman, Michael Jackson,
and even the Matrix are depicted in the surreal paintings, and if you spend a moment to search, you’ll also find an
image depicting the destructive events of 9/11. There’s also an ultra cool Star-Wars-type scene depicting Armageddon
in splendidly vibrant colors. In stark contrast sit two angelic-looking Buddha statues, adorned with pretty flowers and
surrounded by peaceful-looking deities. The representation of good and evil on our planet, although depicted quite
erratically, is nonetheless very powerful.
The public restroom is itself a work of art, having earned the moniker of the Golden Toilet. If the White Temple represents the mind and soul, then the golden restrooms represent the body and all of its worldly greed.
Aside Phra Usobot, or main temple, you’ll see gables, pagodas, ordination, and recitation halls, as well as a museum and gallery showcasing Kositpipa’s multitude of artworks.
Latest Mishap
A powerful earthquake hit the region on the 5th May 2014, damaging a few of the structures and the main temple in particular. At time of writing, visitors are only allowed to enter the compound and admire the White Temple from the outside, yet the interior is supposed to be accessible again by the end of 2015.
Admission Info
Wat Rong Kun is open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.How to Get There
The temple is located on the RHS of Highway 1, about 14km south-west of Chiang Rai. You could either hire a tuk-tuk for a few hours, join one of the many tour groups which depart daily from town or, for a more affordable option, simply hop on the platform 8 bus, but do ask the driver first. A one way ride costs just ฿20 ($0.62).Do you see any omissions, errors or want to add information to this page? Sign up.
Author: Laura Pattara. Last updated: Feb 17, 2015
Pictures of Wat Rong Khun
