Near the Golden Triangle where Myanmar, Thailand and Laos meet is Chiang Rai, the former capital of the Mangrai Dynasty in the 15th century. It was also captured by Burma for several hundred years before becoming part of Thailand again. It is a large rural area that focuses on rice production, and we went on a tour of the White Temple, Blue Temple, the Karen Long Neck Tribe, and the Black House (home to Thailand’s most famous artist Thawan Duchanee). On our last day in Thailand, we also visited an elephant sanctuary in the outskirts of Chiang Mai where we got to feed and bathe elephants rescued from the circus, a labor job, or other inhumane activities
Wat Rong Khun (White Temple)
Wat Rong Khun (nicknamed the “White Temple”), was designed, constructed, and funded by it’s owner, Chalermchai Kositpipat, a local artist. It is a collection of incredibly detailed and ornate buildings and sculptures.
In the back of the complex there’s a lagoon area containing sculptures seemingly carved out of the rock wall. The sculptures range from grotesque faces to modern references like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (much to Paxton’s delight).
In another area, people are invited to purchase a metal leaf to write a message or name on and then hang it in one of several places.
Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple)
The newest temple in Chiang Rai, the “Blue Temple” (as it’s known to tourists) is a smaller, but beautifully decorated in deep blues and golds.
Baan Dam (Black House) museum of artist Thawan Duchanee
Over his life, local artist Thawan Duchanee created an intriguing collection of traditional northern Thai buildings, contemporary buildings, and eclectic art that often features bones and skins of animals from other parts of the world (all of which were said to have died of natural causes). The buildings and artwork are thought provoking and fascinating. While some buildings are open to visitors, others are off limits due to the fact that they were lived in by Duchanee while he was still alive.
Long Neck Village
We visited a village with the Baan Tong Luong tribe of traditional long neck Burmese women now living in Thailand. It is actually a fairly sad situation. Due to ongoing fighting, this tribe was forced out of Burma (Myanmar) and immigrated to Thailand 20 years ago. The Thai government has not let them become citizens; men can leave only for work and women can only leave their village to go to the market or hospital.
They get new rings around their neck at certain intervals as they grow. They do it for tradition and beauty.
On the road in Chiang Mai
On the road to Chaing Rai at a hot springs marketplace.
They also cook all kinds of eggs in the hot springs and then sell them.
Elephant Retirement Park
We visited the Elephant Retirement Park where “retirement” means rescued from either the circus, a labor job or other inhumane activities. We got to feed the elephants, give them a mud bath, bathe them in water, and learn about these special animals in the process.
The following pictures show a “teenage” elephant trying to crack a coconut with it’s trunk.
When that doesn’t work, he quickly figures out the best way to get the job done is to step on it and then eat it.
The younger elephant tries to get in on the eating action without actually doing any of the work to open it.
