Wat Niwet Thammaprawat, Gothic Revival Buddhist temple in Ban Len, Thailand
Wat Niwet Thammaprawat is a Buddhist temple in Gothic style on a river island in Ban Len, resembling a European church with its yellow facade, pointed arch windows, and three-tiered bell tower. The building stands surrounded by trees with water views, while colored glass panes in the windows filter light into the interior.
King Rama V commissioned architect Joachim Grassi in 1878 to build this structure, introducing western architecture into Buddhist tradition. The building emerged as part of his efforts to modernize Thailand during his reign and explore new design forms for religious spaces.
The interior blends golden Buddha statues with colored glass windows depicting scenes from the king's life. Monks hold daily prayers here while visitors walk between rows of wooden pews, experiencing the fusion of European craftsmanship with Buddhist practice.
A cable car connects the mainland to the temple island, running back and forth every few minutes. Visitors should wear modest clothing and remove their shoes before entering the interior, as is customary in Buddhist temples.
The base of the altar forms a cross-shaped platform, an element rarely seen in Buddhist temples. A colored glass portrait of King Rama V hangs on the front wall, showing him in his royal attire.
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