Page 30 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL SUMMER 2025 THAILAND
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Several days later, on the outskirts of sacreligious.
Chiang Rai, an otherworldly vision greets us. All is the singular vision of Thai artist
Beneath gathering storm clouds, a dazzling Chalermchai Kositpipat who has spent mil-
pure white and mirror-tiled temple guarded lions of his own fortune on the project that
by fierce mythical creatures rises behind of replaced a falling-down ancient temple.
a small lake. With lightening crackling, we Decades of work remain on the complex
scramble up an arched bridge into the tem- that will include nine buildings. The artist’s
ple interior covered with surreal murals. Or- history and paintings are on view in a
ange flames leap high and demons frolic gallery and gift shop, that sells prints of
with a bewildering mix of pop culture icons - some works.
Freddy Krueger, Michael Jackson, Hello Before leaving, be sure to visit the over-
Kitty, the Terminator and more. In the cen- the-top public restrooms. Inside and out,
ter, a serene seated Buddha is surrounded they gleam with gold-leaf and mosaics.
by a golden halo. Don’t expect gold toilets tho; that’s an ex-
It’s breathtakingly weird - and contro- travagance for billionaires, not Buddhists.
versial to some who label it kitschy and
30 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE SUMMER 2025
