Day 7 - Wednesday 21 December 2016

Restless........Seemed I had to a bit of a restless night as I wake up late. No attempt is made to work on my blog which seems to be coming a bit of a chore so I really need to slow the pace down a bit but the whole of Chiang Rai is open to me now. I identify a dozen or so sites which are within easy reach of the resort but by the time I’ve had breakfast it’s gone 10am. The latter is a bit basic with just coffee, toast and jam but it should be enough to take me into the afternoon. With Warabordee Resort quite central to the city and I head for the nearest sites first. They are all working temples but these are exactly the situations where I lose time. They are a magnet for Katoon.
Wat Jed Yod........Wat Jed Yok translates as the temple of seven peaks (spires). It’s located at the end of Jetyod Road. The temple was built in 1844 by a Buddhist monk named Brakrubakuntha Kunthawungso. A ritual was performed in 1938 with the boundary rights granted in March 1944. It was upgraded to a third grade Royal temple in 1978.

Wat Phra Kaew........Wat Phra Kaew, adjacent to Trairat Road, is the most revered temple in Chiang Rai on account of its history. Today it’s known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha although its original name was Wat Pa Yeh (Bamboo Forest Temple). In 1434 the chedi was struck by lightning and split in two revealing the magnificent emerald Buddha. However the image didn’t remain in Chaing Rai. It was moved several times and now sits at the more famous Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok where is has remained since the reign of Rama I. The present emerald Buddha, Phra Yok was made from jade imported from Canada while the image most sacred for local people is named Phra Chao Lanthong. The temple also contains a useful museum with important artifacts housed on two floors.

Wat Phra Sing........Wat Phra Sing is located near the townhall used to house a major Buddha statue, the Phra Buddha Sihing, which is now enshrined in Chiang Mai. Like Wat Phra Kaeo nearby, the temple now houses a replica instead. A special feature is the Lanna-style Ubosot and the wooden door panels carved by Chiang Rai contemporary craftsmen.

Wat Klong Wiang........Wat Klong Wiang, dating back to 1432, is an excellent but little-visited temple displaying Lanna-style at its best. It lies in the centre of the city as it then was. Noteworthy are the colourful guardian statues offering protection to the city according to Lana belief with elephants in the back and the "No Killing Area" warning at the entrance. The temple consists of an assembly hall, a contemporary Chedi and a scripture hall.

Wat Ming Meuang........Wat Ming Meuang lies at the intersection of Banphaprakan and Trairat Roads. This is a small temple housing the spirit of the city (ming meuang) in an exquisitely carved and decorated Lanna-style, almost Laotian viharn. This temple dates from 1262, built during the reign of King Mengrai the Great (1239-1311).

Wat Mung Muang........Wat Mung Muang is located near the Ngam Muang Fresh Market. It has an impressive Lanna-style assembly hall while outside sits a large pot-bellied Buddha image. It is assumed that a temple had existed here since before the foundation of the city. There is a remarkable story that during WWII, bombs were dropped on the city. Of the ones that fell on the temple, none exploded.

Royal Footprint........At this point Katoon is anxious to visit another site but not a working temple. It’s hard to find but she is persistent. All I know is that it’s something to do with the army. When she does locate it I find myself in an army training ground. Access to a military establishment like this would be unheard of in the UK but there is a museum here open to visitors. After several enquiries we find ourselves at a shrine where there is a moulding of the feet of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The molding was taken during an inspection visit to the North by the King. Nearby is a memorial to soldiers who died fighting neat Thoen during the communist uprising in the 60’s. It’s now mid afternoon and two important sites I’d like to have visited by now lie outside the city as we head southwest on Highway 1211. Singha Park is an Agro-tourism destination about 15 minutes drive out of town, owned by the Boon Rawd Brewery, brewers of the Singha brand. Unfortunately when we arrive there it’s too late to arrange a tour so we mark it down for a visit in the morning.

Wat Rong Khun (White Temple)........The White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) is located at Ban Rong Khun, Tambon Pa O Don Chai, along Phahonyothin roadside at Km816 (Highway 1211) approximately 13 km from the city. This unique modern temple was designed and built by artist Chaloemchai Khositphiphat starting in 1998. A beautiful white ordination hall—Phra Ubosot—is decorated with silver glittering pieces of mirrors. There are large mural paintings of the Lord Buddha in different gestures. A gable is decorated with a gable apex, a leaf-shaped gable-edging in the shapes of Phya Naga, dragon and mythical creatures, which are entirely made of white stucco. There are viharn, small halls for recitation surrounding the ordination hall, museum, and reception pavilion. The gallery exhibits paintings of Chaloemchai Khositphiphat. Work on the temple continues, and it is not expected to be completed for the next few decades. It opens daily at 08:00-17:00. Entry is 50 baht for non-Thais.

With the White Temple easily the most impressive sight so far in Chiang Rai, it’s time to head back to the city.
Night Bazaar........I really don’t have enough time to go out again: I’m really behind with my notes but then again we must eat and this is the last night in Chiang Mai. After a meal ‘Thai Food Easy Style’ we head to the night bazaar again. The area is busy but perhaps less than the previous night as foreigners head home for Christmas. In the square is the Night Bazaar Restaurant, a focal point where visitors can enjoy local cultural dance. All around are souvenir shops including a good number selling handicrafts of hill-tribe origin. Back at the room I continue to struggle with my blog not helped by an unstable internet connection. Next Page.