Close to the banks of the Chao Phraya River, not far from Wat Arun, the temple of the Dawn, is Wat Prayoon. Built by Rama III early in the 19th century, the first thing a visitor sees on entering the temple is the large mound, said to have been designed by the king after he observed the shapes that wax forms as it drips from a candle. The mound is covered with various shrines to departed loved ones in every size and style. There are chedis, spirit houses and even the odd doll house. On one side is a small grotto as well. The mound sits in pool of shallow water filled with turtles. Several different species of turtles are represented, and you can feed them with papaya and other fruits on sale at a stall in one corner of the courtyard containing the mound. Making merit is a very big part of Thai culture.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
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