Wat Rong Khun, also known as the White Temple, is a masterpiece inspired and created by Chalermchai Kositpipat, who dedicated his life to this sacred project for the nation, Buddhism, and the monarchy. The artist vowed to devote the best years of his life to creating a unique Buddhist art landmark to honor the reign of His Majesty the King and pledged to continue this work until his last breath.

The true beauty of Wat Rong Khun lies in its main chapel, which Chalermchai envisioned as a heavenly palace on earth — a celestial mansion that ordinary people can experience. The chapel is designed as the house of the Buddha, painted pure white to symbolize the Buddha’s purity and adorned with sparkling white glass representing the Buddha’s wisdom illuminating the human world and the entire universe.

Key symbolic features include:

• The bridge represents crossing over the cycle of rebirth (samsara) toward enlightenment (Buddha’s realm).

• A small semicircle before the bridge symbolizes the human world.

• The large circle with fangs depicts the mouth of the demon (Mara or Rahu), symbolizing the mental defilements and the suffering of hell. Visitors must mentally release their greed and desires into the demon’s mouth to purify themselves before crossing the bridge.

• Along the bridge’s sides are sixteen swallowing demons (eight on each side), symbolizing the sixteen defilements.

• The center of the bridge represents Mount Meru, the abode of the deities.

• Below the bridge is a pond symbolizing the cosmic ocean (Sidantra Mahasamudra), with six heavenly levels and sixteen Brahma worlds represented by sixteen lotus flowers surrounding the chapel, including four large ones.

• The side staircases represent the portals of the four noble disciples — Sotapanna, Sakadagami, Anagami, and Arahant — worthy of worship.

• The semicircle before ascending the stairs symbolizes transcendental wisdom (Lokuttara Panna).

• The staircase’s three steps represent impermanence (Anicca), suffering (Dukkha), and non-self (Anatta).

• Beyond the stairs lies the realm of the four formless Brahmas, depicted by four lotus flowers and four doors, with the final door featuring a triangular glass symbolizing emptiness and liberation.

• Passing through this gate leads to the Buddha’s realm.

Inside, the chapel’s walls, ceiling, and floor are covered with golden-hued murals illustrating liberation from Mara’s defilements and the journey toward ultimate truth (Lokuttara Dhamma). The roof incorporates the Buddhist practice of morality (Sila), meditation (Samadhi), and wisdom (Panna), leading to emptiness — the state of Nirvana.

Chalermchai plans to build a total of nine buildings, each reflecting deep Buddhist teachings. He hopes to create a grand masterpiece of Buddhist art that will be admired worldwide and to train two generations of disciples to carry on the work after his passing. The entire project is expected to take 60–70 years to complete.

Beyond admiring the chapel’s beauty, visitors can also view Chalermchai’s other artworks and purchase unique souvenirs at Wat Rong Khun.

From downtown Chiang Rai, it takes approximately 15–20 minutes by car or local songthaew (shared taxi) to reach Wat Rong Khun.

Visit in the morning or late afternoon to avoid strong sunlight and crowds. Don’t forget your camera to capture the exquisite details of this artistic masterpiece.

To get there from the city of Chiang Rai, drive north along Asia Highway or rent taxi