Wat Phra Kaew: The Temple of the Emerald Buddha
Wat Phra Kaew or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in the royal palace is for many the main attraction of Bangkok. Just a little too busy and chaotic for my taste. Being overwhelmed by fanatically photographing and elbow-butting hordes of Chinese has never been my idea of an ideal day out, but it is indeed a must see.
Anyone who looks at the glossy photos of Thailand will have come across him. The statue is now world famous and you can see it in real life in Ayutthaya at the Wat Phra Mahathat.
The largest Buddha statue in Thailand is the Mahaminh Sakayamunee Visejchaicharn and is located in Ang Thong.
Thailand question: Bringing Buddha statues from Thailand?
I will soon be going to Bangkok for work for a week, now I saw in this Blog that you are not allowed to bring Buddha statues from Thailand. At least that if they find it you could have a problem. Does this also apply to images that you buy in a souvenir shop?
An introduction to Buddhist iconography
You just can't miss it: Everywhere in Thailand you are confronted with images of Buddha. From the heavily gold-painted Phra Buddha Maha Nawamin in the Wat Muang Monastery in Changwat Ang Thong, which is just under a hundred meters high, to the much more modest examples in the house temples, they bear witness to spirituality, tradition and an ancient culture.
In this photo series we highlight the many beautiful temples that are so characteristic of Thailand. Just like Buddhism, temples and temple grounds play an important role in social life in Thailand.
In this photo series we highlight the many beautiful temples that are so characteristic of Thailand. Just like Buddhism, temples and temple grounds play an important role in social life in Thailand.
In this photo series we highlight the many beautiful temples that are so characteristic of Thailand. Just like Buddhism, temples and temple grounds play an important role in social life in Thailand.
In this photo series we highlight the many beautiful temples that are so characteristic of Thailand. Just like Buddhism, temples and temple grounds play an important role in social life in Thailand.
In this photo series we highlight the many beautiful temples that are so characteristic of Thailand. Just like Buddhism, temples and temple grounds play an important role in social life in Thailand.
In this photo series we highlight the many beautiful temples that are so characteristic of Thailand. Just like Buddhism, temples and temple grounds play an important role in social life in Thailand.
In this photo series we highlight the many beautiful temples that are so characteristic of Thailand. Just like Buddhism, temples and temple grounds play an important role in social life in Thailand.
In this photo series we highlight the many beautiful temples that are so characteristic of Thailand. Just like Buddhism, temples and temple grounds play an important role in social life in Thailand.
In this photo series we highlight the many beautiful temples that are so characteristic of Thailand. Just like Buddhism, temples and temple grounds play an important role in social life in Thailand.
In this photo series we highlight the many beautiful temples that are so characteristic of Thailand. Just like Buddhism, temples and temple grounds play an important role in social life in Thailand.
In this photo series we highlight the many beautiful temples that are so characteristic of Thailand. Just like Buddhism, temples and temple grounds play an important role in social life in Thailand.
Another new photo series today. This time we highlight the many beautiful temples that are so characteristic of Thailand. Just like Buddhism, temples and temple grounds play an important role in social life in Thailand.
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)?