Wat Rong Khun

In 2017 I went on a day tour that took in Wat Rong Khun (The White Temple) - วัดร่องขุ่น and Wat Rong Suea Ten (The Blue Temple) - วัดร่องเสือเต้น and, although I got a few good photos at the temples, I wanted to return and see if I could get some better shots and more importantly have a less hurried visit. Despite its name Wat Rong Khun is a secular commercial enterprise and many of the buildings and pathways are closed to visitors. Security guards hurry visitors through the main Vihāra and prevent people photographing the interior.

Wat Rong Khun is owned by local Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat who designed and oversaw its construction, it opened in 1997 but quickly fell into a state of disrepair. An earthquake in 2014 damaged the complex but an engineering inspection several days later established that the damage wasn’t as catastrophic as first thought.

Restoration since then has continued and ongoing development planned, with an estimated completion date of 2070. Kositpipat has financed the work from his own pocket and accepts no donation larger than ฿10,000 “to avoid the influence of large donors.”

See Wikipedia and Artsy.