Khao Chee Chan
Near Pattaya you can visit the special landmark known as Khao Chee Chan. This Buddha image carved into a rock is the largest in the world with a height of no less than 130 meters and a width of 70 meters.
From Buddha King to trader in buffalo skulls
Until a few years ago, Henk de Groot was the uncrowned Buddha King of the Netherlands. He was an importer of wood carvings and he bought his very first container of wood carving buddhas just before the turn of the century. They ran unexpectedly fast. Many more containers full of Buddhas in all shapes and sizes would follow. ,,But especially the fat ones, with a smile on their face. They were very popular and sold better than the slim version,” recalls Henk.
Reader question: Can I bring a large Buddha statue into Thailand?
I am moving to Thailand soon and have had a quote made by a professional moving company. There is a life-size Buddha in my household. According to this company, I cannot take my image with me. I know I can't export Buddha relics, but I've never heard of importing them.
Reader question: Bringing a Buddha image from Thailand?
I want to bring a Buddha statue from Thailand. It fits in my suitcase and is about 60 cm high. According to an acquaintance who lives in Thailand, this is not allowed and I can get into trouble if my suitcase is checked when I fly back to the Netherlands.
I want to transport a Buddha statue to the Netherlands in a while. Of course I first go to the Department of fine Arts for the export documents. It concerns a statue of approx. 140 cm high with a weight of approx. 35 kg. Which carrier is the best/cheapest way to send it to the Netherlands (and do they have an office/delivery point in Bangkok)?
Artifacts back to Thailand
The posts sometimes raise questions about whether you can take Buddha figurines or other old objects with you after a holiday. Caution is advised in that area.
Reader question: Import/export Buddha statues
If I am correct, it has been forbidden by Thai law to export Buddha statues for 2 years now. But now it is the case that I want to import a Buddha, but the Dutch carrier says that this is also prohibited. Does anyone have experience with this, or does anyone know a solution for this?
The world's largest marble Buddha
Buddha statues can be found in many versions in Thailand. And not just miniature figurines. Visit the largest and oldest temple in Bangkok, Wat Pho. The temple was created after the restoration of the Wat Phodharam, which dates from 1788. You will find more than a thousand images of Buddha there and you will not see so many different images anywhere else in Thailand.
Soon we will sell our condo in Jomtien. We would like to take some beautiful Buddha statues with us to the Netherlands. It is two images. Being: A bronze Reclining Buddha, bought 7 years ago at the Riverside Shopping center in Bangkok, quite old with a document of origin from the government. And a fairly modern Buddha made of white pottery, bought about 6 years ago in the art pavilion at the (Stakasjuk or similar) Saturday market.
Reader question: Can I export Buddha statues Thailand?
I would like to bring a beautiful Buddha for my daughters. Can this be exported to the country? Read and hear so many different answers about that.
Two mountains with a Buddha
You know that feeling. Sometimes you have the irresistible urge to do nothing somewhere else. You need to get out. Because a Thai friend comes from Surin province with a car, it seems obvious to go that way. So I spend the Songkran days in Surin.
Wat Dhamma Nimitri in Chonburi
Dick Koger goes in search of a Buddha sitting on a giant chair in a temple called Wat Dhamma Nimitri. That temple is said to be in Chonburi.
Buddhas displace garden gnomes
In Germany, the garden gnome is in danger of being replaced by the Buddha statue. The trade in Asian statues is rising sharply, while interest in garden gnomes is declining. Buddhists are critically following the trend.
News from Thailand – March 24, 2013
Today in News from Thailand:
• Buddha popcorn from Pennsylvania: can it get any crazier?
• 120 Rohingya refugees detained in Phuket
• Prime Minister Yingluck receives honorary doctorate in New Zealand