Wat Rat Upatham

About

Perched high on a hilltop, Wat Rat Upatam (known locally as Wat Bang Riang) is an active temple, and still home to a community of monks, who encourage visitors to experience the complex’s breathtaking beauty. Visitors can walk around the temple complex, admiring the intricate carvings covering the facade before stepping inside (leave your shoes at the door) to see the colorful paintings and many gilded shrines and statues. One of the chapels is even built atop a giant boat! The entire complex is watched over by a towering statue of Kwam Im, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy, and a large Golden Buddha backed by a Naga. The 109 meter tall chedi, with its unique bell-shaped pagoda houses relics of the Buddha, and the foundation stone was laid down by the Queen of Thailand herself.