Page 30 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL SUMMER 2025 THAILAND
P. 30

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
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