The Coral Pagoda, also known as Wat Tham Khao Plueng, is a Buddhist temple located in Khanom district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province, southern Thailand.
What makes the Coral Pagoda unique is that it is built entirely from coral reef, giving it a distinct texture and appearance compared to other temples in the area. The temple is situated on a hilltop, providing stunning views of the surrounding countryside and the Gulf of Thailand.
Visitors can explore the temple grounds, which include several halls, pagodas, and shrines. One of the most striking features of the temple is the main prayer hall, which is adorned with intricate carvings and houses a large Buddha statue.
The Coral Pagoda is also a popular site for meditation and spiritual retreats, with several quiet areas for reflection and contemplation. Visitors can also participate in traditional Buddhist ceremonies and offerings, such as lighting incense and offering flowers.
Overall, the Coral Pagoda is a unique and beautiful temple that offers visitors a glimpse into Thailand’s rich Buddhist culture and the natural beauty of the southern region.
Wat Khao Suwan Pradit is a Buddhist temple located in the city of Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. It is situated on a hill called Khao Suwan Pradit, which is also known as the Golden Hill. The temple complex includes several structures, such as a main prayer hall, a pagoda, and a meditation hall.
One of the main attractions of the temple is the 18-meter-tall golden Buddha statue, which is located at the top of the hill. Visitors can climb the stairs to the top of the hill to see the statue and enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding area.
Another notable feature of the temple is the pagoda, which is decorated with intricate carvings and houses relics of the Buddha. Visitors can also explore the meditation hall, which is a quiet and peaceful space for contemplation and reflection.
Overall, Wat Khao Suwan Pradit is a beautiful and serene temple complex that offers visitors a glimpse into Thailand’s rich Buddhist heritage.
During my road trip to Nakhon Si Thammarat, I met up with another good photog friend of mine, his speciality is drone photography, and he took me to all his favourite take off places. This was one of them in Sichon.
On the side of a hill overlooking the bay is a Chinese dragon Temple, its probably quite new and still doesn’t show on any of the maps. Still one not to be missed if your there.
Bang Riang, Thap Put, Muang, Phang Nga 82000, Thailand
10.03.2023
Wat Bang Riang
Quite often people overlook the Wat that has the quite spectacular chedi on the hill further up from it.
I decided to stop, and take in the unusual and novel design of the Ubosot, set on a concrete boat, with a magnificent Naga head as the Bow.
The Chedi at the top of the hill is the main draw, but I enjoyed this bit and was glad I visited it first!
Bang Riang, Thap Put, Muang, Phang Nga 82000, Thailand
10.03.2023
Wat Bang Riang is a Buddhist temple located in the southern province of Phang Nga in Thailand. The temple is known for its stunning chedi, which is a type of Buddhist stupa that is commonly found in Southeast Asia.
The chedi at Wat Bang Riang is one of the largest and most impressive in Thailand, standing at over 50 meters tall. The structure is made of white marble and features intricate carvings and gold leaf decorations. Visitors can climb to the top of the chedi for panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
In addition to the chedi, Wat Bang Riang is home to several other important religious structures, including a large statue of the Buddha and several smaller chedis. The temple is also surrounded by beautiful gardens and a small lake.
We got here after stopping at the bottom of the hill and looking around the Ubosot in my previous post.
During my road trip to Nakhon Si Thammarat, I met up with another good photog friend of mine, his speciality is drone photography, and he took me to all his favourite take off places. This was one of them in Sichon.
On the side of a hill overlooking the bay is a Chinese dragon Temple, its probably quite new and still doesn’t show on any of the maps. Still one not to be missed if your there.
Wat Khao Suvan Pradit (Wat Khao Suwan Pradit) It was founded by one of the respectable Buddhist clerics from Southern Thailand. The temple stands on top of a 45-meter hill. Driving up in the car wasn’t as bad as some temples I have driven too and even the car park(which is large) his a great viewpoint in itself.
You can see the pagoda with relics. Although during my visit the temple was closed.
The temple stands on a Cape crane, so that there are incredible views of the area and the Don Sak River, flowing into Samese Bay. And at nautical breadth, of course. The two stilted viewpoints one each side allow you to almost feel as though you are over the sea.
Again the views are spectacular and well worth the visit, I could’ve spent all day there….
The Coral Pagoda that sits in Khao That, otherwise known as Por Thao Khao That.
This temple is 1,000 years old and is revered as a sacred area that’s used as a place to pay homage.
Apart from the Helter skelter drive up to it, its views are stunning and well worth the twisty road. My visit there was breathtaking as I looked out around some of Thailand’s most beautiful Countryside and hills.
It was apparently built by Chinese immigrants on their way to Surat Thani. When they stopped there for a break the local people told them, Surat Thani already has a Pagoda, so they built the Coral one there instead and apparently as legend goes there is treasure (of some sort) hidden within it!
Note there is no shade on the actual Pagoda area, and it was very very hot underfoot (shoes not allowed)
During my visit to Surat Thani recently I stopped by one of the most stunning City Pillar shrines I have ever seen.
It is located near the Tapee River which runs alongside the road that separates it from the busy road, and you can get a good look at the suspension bridge from by the gates.
This city pillar is made from wood of the Golden Shower Tree (CasiaFitsula). (it actually looks like white marble). The top of the pillar is carved into a 4-faced Avalo kite. Vara Bodhisattva looking in the 4 directions.
This is a common style of the city pillars around Thailand. On the large hair curls, there is a Buddha image in the attitude of meditation, which is considered as the guardian of the direction, according to Srivijaya’s belief. Moreover, wood carving of this pillar shows delicate floral motifs in Srivijaya style.
A well-kept shrine which is considered by many to be the symbol of the city, the City Pillar Shrine or San Lak Muang is located in the heart of the city. Standing near the Tapee River, this shrine is lit up colourfully at night and is a great spot to spend some time in the city.
Just got back from my break and have got some lovely photos of places I have visited.
Today we start with Haad Kwang Pao Beach, which when i arrived there was empty and I had the place to myself, heaven! But for how long?
Haad Kwang Pao beach is about 14 kilometer in the north of Khanom it is well posted from the main road.
The beach itself is formed like a halfmoon and fine sandy. some resorts and beach bars are located in the back, but it seems that not many tourists found the road to kwang pao beach. it was really empty, and we were the only tourists we saw. at kwang pao beach…generally on the different beaches of the Khanom area mostly Thai people take their holidays. This depends on the cheap prices for resorts and restaurants, which still exist in that region.
we had wind and waves and we just moved hip deep into the water, but it was deep enough to swim, as the beach slopes gently to the sea and so kwang pao is perfect for families with small children.
The beach is well protected…at the Northend are cliffs located…at the south end there’s a pier with a few seafood restaurants and shops. the vegetation directly on the beach is reduced, because behind the resorts and restaurants is where the beach road is located.
The atmosphere at kwang pao beach was really quiet and peaceful, with just the sound of the waves breaking on the shore. we were alone at the beach the whole time I was taking photos.
This is a natural heritage site too, so pink dolphins, turtles and other marine life can be in the offing.
Wat Phra Borommathat Chaiya stands as the most elaborate example of Srivijaya influence remaining in Thailand today. Built around an eye-catching Javanese-style chedi, the site is thought to have been established when Chaiya was an important regional centre of the Srivijaya kingdom around the eighth century CE. Today the chedi features on the Surat Thani provincial symbol and is mimicked by the provincial capital’s City Pillar shrine.
Many scholars believe that the Srivijaya’s linguistic legacy can still be heard in the Old Malay derived languages spoken in modern Indonesia and Malaysia. Srivijaya subjects also may have been the first to introduce Buddhism to what’s now Thailand and Cambodia, though their Mahayana-dominated form would eventually lose out to Theravada Buddhism from Burma and Sri Lanka. The chedi at Wat Phra Borommathat is one of a handful of ancient Srivijayan monuments that can still be seen in the Chaiya area, with two others found at nearby Wat Kaeo and Wat Long.
First constructed out of brick and vegetable mortar some 1,200 years ago, the chedi was twice restored in the early 20th century. Some alterations were made, including the addition of Thai artistic elements, but the original shape was largely preserved. Those who have explored ancient Javanese temple sites will notice a strong resemblance to the sanctuaries of Prambanan and others. Rising from a square base, its five patterned tiers include shelves, niches and points leading up to a lotus and topped by a slender spire. Buddhist relics are said to be enshrined inside.
Surrounding the chedi on all four sides are ceramic-roofed cloisters filled with Buddha images of various shapes and sizes. Near a Bodhi tree on the other side of the cloisters, a trio of sandstone Ayutthaya-era Buddha images in the Subduing Mara posture sit side by side, exposed to the elements. Local lore claims that these images prefer to be outside, evidenced by a lightning strike on a building they were once placed in.
The temple grounds also include a medium-size ordination hall which, surprising given the importance of the temple, has no murals and only a small collection of typical-looking Buddha images. Stroll to the temple’s northern section and you’ll find a cluster of attractive old wooden buildings that appear to hail from around a century ago.
Music free under creative commons licence, from you tube Music Library
Spirit of Fire by Jesse Gallagher
Have you ever heard of Natai beach? Imagine a stretch of white sands ten kilometres long that’s completely free of vendors and beach umbrellas. There are no big hotels, tailor shops or sleazy bars in the area, and absolutely no buzzing jet skis or speedboats.
Where is this magical place? Natai Beach in Phang Nga province just over the bridge from Phuket. With its sands blissfully free of vendors and sunbed rentals, to spend a day at the beach is to be immersed in a Natai nature nirvana soothed by the sound of the waves.
The balmy turquoise waters are ideal for swimming, surfing, stand-up paddling or kayaking. A bit like the Hamptons of Southeast Asia, with strict local building laws have shielded Natai Beach from all mass development. Instead of mega resorts and shopping malls, the beach is lined with a handful of boutique resorts, private villas and high-end restaurants.
Except one, Raipiang seafood restaurant, which does cater to more normal budgets and offered delicious seafood. Sitting here watching for a sunset dinner, not as spectacular as it could have been, but oh so lovely all the same.
Journeys From A Small Room 