Wat Lai, Buddhist temple in Khao Samo Khon, Thailand.
Wat Lai is a Buddhist temple in Khao Samo Khon featuring a golden Viharn surrounded by a cloister with statues and octagonal pillars. The structure extends nearly thirty meters and displays clear architectural elements characteristic of the Ayutthaya period.
The temple underwent reconstruction during King Chulalongkorn's reign following a fire, preserving its architectural features from the Ayutthaya period. This rebuilding demonstrates how historical construction methods were maintained despite the damage.
The entrance porch displays stucco reliefs showing scenes from Buddha's final ten lives, while inside stands a five-meter-tall Buddha image beneath a flame-shaped mandorla. These carved stories line the walls and help visitors understand the temple's spiritual narratives.
The temple sits roughly thirty kilometers northwest of Lopburi's provincial capital near Singburi city and can be reached using GPS coordinates for precise navigation. Visitors should expect to walk around the grounds, especially when exploring the entire complex.
The temple houses the notable Phra Si Ari statue representing Maitreya, distinguished by the absence of the typical cranial protuberance found in historical Buddha representations. This unusual feature makes the statue particularly interesting to those familiar with traditional Buddhist iconography.
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