Wat Rong Khun (Thai: วัด ร่อง ขุ่น) is an unconventional contemporary Buddhist and Hindu temple in Chiang Rai, Thailand. It was designed by Chalermchai Kositpipat. Construction began in 1997.
Wat Rong Khun is unlike any other temple in Thailand because its Ubosot (Pali: Uposatha, consecrated hall) is designed in white with some use of white glass. The color white represents the purity of the Lord Buddha, the white glass represents the Buddha’s wisdom that “shines through all the earth and the universe.”
The bridge leading to the temple represents the step cycle of rebirth to the Abode of the Buddha. The small semi-circle before the bridge represents the human world. The large circle is the fanged mouth of Rahu, ie the impurities of the mind, a representation of hell and suffering.
All the paintings inside the Ubosot (Assembly Hall) have golden tones. The four walls, ceiling and floor contains paintings that show a release of impurities from the temptation to reach a state supramundane. On the roof, there are four kinds of animals representing earth, water, wind and fire. The elephant represents the earth, the Naga stands for water, the swan’s wings represent the wind, and the mane of the lion represents fire.
In 1997, Chalermchai Kositpipat offered his services to carry out the construction of the Ubosot on its own as an offering to Buddha, but later changed the plan at will, so that Wat Rong Khun become a prominent place to attract to Thai and foreign visitors.
Today, Wat Rong Khun is still being built. When completed, the planned construction of Wat Rong Khun will consist of nine buildings: the Ubosot, the room containing the relics of the Buddha, the room containing images of Buddha, the preaching hall, the room of contemplation, the monk’s cell, the front door Buddhavasa, art gallery , and toilets.
Reference : somewherethailand