The White Temple of Chiang Rai

@JudyEv (380474)

Rockingham, Australia

April 1, 2026 9:03am CST

This photo of Vince’s shows the Wat Rong Khun or White Temple. This Buddhist temple is in Chiang Rai province, Thailand. The original temple was in a bad state of repair by the end of the 20th century but there were no funds for renovation. National artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat, decided to completely rebuild the temple and pay for it himself. It opened to visitors in 1997. The frame is concrete with a wooden roof. The sparkling appearance is achieved through a mix of whitewash and transparent mirrored chips. White plaster and glass inserts adorn the outer surfaces. An interesting fact is that, while donations are welcome, they must be below a certain figure, as Chalermchai Kositpipat does not want to be influenced by those who donate large amounts.

16 people like this

13 responses

@Marilynda1225 (90695)

• United States

1 Apr

Wow that temple is very unique and almost doesn't look real. Certainly interesting history of how it became white.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (380474)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Apr

It's incredibly intricate.

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@Marilynda1225 (90695)

• United States

2 Apr

@JudyEv As amazing as the picture is, I'm sure it's even more amazing in person.

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@JudyEv (380474)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Apr

@Marilynda1225 Here's a close-up of part of it. This part isn't so appealing really.

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@AliCanary (4345)

•

1 Apr

Wow, that is beautiful! Just goes to show that a great design doesn't need to be "colored in" to be amazing.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (380474)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Apr

I can't get over how ornate it is.

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@AliCanary (4345)

•

2 Apr

@JudyEv I know, right? So much work and care went into that.

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@snowy22315 (207921)

• United States

1 Apr

That is really cool.

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@JudyEv (380474)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Apr

It's so fancy. I wonder if they'll ever have to clean the outside. Perhaps they'd pressure-clean it.

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@snowy22315 (207921)

• United States

2 Apr

@JudyEv They must do something to keep it so white.

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@JudyEv (380474)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Apr

@snowy22315 You'd have to think so.

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@celticeagle (189228)

• Boise, Idaho

2 Apr

This temple looks like it is carved out of snow. Very interesting. The artist must have been very interesting in this particular temple to undertake such a building effort.

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@celticeagle (189228)

• Boise, Idaho

3 Apr

@JudyEv ........It certainly is and shows how into it he was.

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@JudyEv (380474)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Apr

He paid for it all himself which is pretty amazing.

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@freelancermariagrace (29342)

• Philippines

2 Apr

That is beautiful. I hope to see it in person someday.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (380474)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Apr

It is closer to you than it is to me. I hope you get there one day.

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@freelancermariagrace (29342)

• Philippines

4 Apr

@JudyEv Yes. I hope so, too. :)

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@valherma00 (3266)

• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)

2 Apr

i hope the artist was refunded later or something. it looks really white, i might say

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@JudyEv (380474)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Apr

Perhaps he thinks he'll be rewarded in the after-life.

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@valherma00 (3266)

• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)

4 Apr

@JudyEv that too

and i wish all the best to him. it takes courage and unselfish attitude to do this

1 person likes this

@AmbiePam (119668)

• United States

7 Apr

I guess it has a certain appeal with its unique look, but I don’t really like the appearance from the outside. I do, however, respect how they feel about donations.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (380474)

• Rockingham, Australia

7 Apr

I've never been really keen on Asian decorations or buildings. They're keen on merlions and dragons which don't turn me on much.

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@shaggin (74987)

• United States

1 Apr

I wondered how he was able to make it all so white. That’s very interesting with the mirrored chips. It looks absolutely stunning. I love that he isn’t interested in large donations.

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@JudyEv (380474)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Apr

It's nice to find someone who doesn't want money. It's also unusual.

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@wolfgirl569 (134835)

• Marion, Ohio

1 Apr

That is lovely.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (380474)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Apr

I can't get over how ornate it is.

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@Fleura (34925)

• United Kingdom

1 Apr

That's a very surreal-looking building! Was the original the same?

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (380474)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Apr

I think not but I can't find anything about it except that it was in a bad state of repair. The fact that it was 'completely rebuilt' seems to suggest it may not be much like the original.

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@JESSY3236 (22131)

• United States

21 Apr

beautiful temple.

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@JudyEv (380474)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 Apr

It must have taken such a lot of work to create.

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Dr Souvik Chatterji

@sathviksouvik (23144)

•

2 Apr

the temple is scenic and unique

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (380474)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Apr

It's certainly eye-catching.

@LindaOHio (221475)

• United States

2 Apr

Wow! It's stunning and so intricate.

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@JudyEv (380474)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Apr

It's unbelievably ornate. So 'fussy' in a way.

1 person likes this