Wat Chaiyo or Wat Ket Chaiyo was built during the Ayutthaya Period. It became important during the reign of King Rama IV. The venerable Somdet Phra Phutthachan (To Phromrangsi) of Wat Rakhang Khositaram built the large Buddha image in a subduing Mara gesture and placed it outdoors. However, the image collapsed soon after construction. He re-built it in the same pose but smaller, covered it in plaster and without gold leaf. As the image could be seen from far, the villagers called it Luangpho To (meaning huge image). Further temple restoration during the reign of King Rama V the Buddha image collapsed again. The King ordered the renovation of the image with steel bars inside. The new image was covered in gold leaf and monks’ robes and was given the new name by King Rama V the Great “Phra Maha Phutthaphim”. A new main chapel was constructed to house the image. Upon completion, King Rama V the Great established the temple as one of the royal temples.
To pay respect to Luangpho ...
Thailand, ranked 93rd in the FIFA world standings, hosted Kuwait (ranked 134th) in an international friendly on June 5, 2026, at True BG Stadium in Pathum Thani. Thailand entered as clear favorites thanks to their higher ranking, home advantage, and stronger recent form, with many expecting them to secure a comfortable victory and gain valuable ranking points.
The match proved far more competitive than anticipated. Thailand dominated the first half and built a 2-0 lead with goals from Seksan Ratree in the 42nd minute and Kritsada Kaman just before halftime. Kuwait mounted a strong comeback after the break, equalizing quickly through Yousef Majed in the 48th minute and leveling the score at 2-2 with Eid Al Rashidi’s strike in the 69th minute. Despite Thailand’s pressure late on, the visitors held firm for a hard-earned draw in an entertaining encounter.
The 2-2 result represented a missed opportunity for Thailand to collect maximum points against lower-ranked opposition, though it still...
Wat Phu Man Fa is a massive temple being built in Buriram Thailand. This temple has caused some controversy due to its resemblance to Angkor Wat.
Construction started several years ago on a piece of land covering 200 Rai (roughly 100 acres). It features several stone buildings built in the Khmer style. Its resemblance to Angkor Wat has caused a great deal of controversy and the #SaveAngkorWat hastag.
The head Abbot that is the vision behind the project said the styling came to him in a dream. He believes that he was a soldier that was part of the construction of the original Angkor Wat and now is continuing now after entering the monk hood.
The controversy drew the attention of Cambodian officials that were invited to inspect the site. It’s been agreed that it has design elements of many different sites like Phimai and others and is not a direct copy of the UNESCO World Heritage site.
The temple construction continues and is really amazing to see. It’s being built on a scale that is ...
The Rocket Festival ประเพณีบุญบั้งไฟ Bun Bang Fai is a merit-making ceremony traditionally practiced by ethnic Lao people at the beginning of the wet season in various villages and municipalities in Northeastern Thailand and Laos.
The festivities typically include music and dance performances, competitive processions of floats, dancers and musicians on the second day, and culminating on the third day with the competitive firing of homemade rockets.
Local participants and sponsors take advantage of the occasion to enhance their social prestige, as is customary in traditional Buddhist folk festivals throughout Southeast Asia.
The festival in Thailand also includes special programs and specific local patterns like Bang Fai (Parade dance) and a Beautiful Bang Fai float such as Yasothon on the third weekend of May, and continues Suwannaphum District, Roi Et on the first weekend of June, Phanom Phrai District Roi Et during the full moon of the seventh month in Lunar year's...
