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Thailand is famous for its temples, and the temples in Bangkok are truly wonders to behold. It's known for its many gold-plated Buddha statues, but that popularity may be declining over time. If you've already visited the famous sites, try Wat Pariwat – a unique temple located along the Chao Phraya River, featuring exceptionally distinctive statues.
Bringing the spiritual world closer to young people.
Located on Phra Nakhon near Rama III Road, the temple was built around the late Ayutthaya and early Rattanakosin periods. Later, it was renovated and renamed "Wat Pariwat Ratchasongkram". The area surrounding the ordination hall is a great vantage point for viewing these works of art. Its stunning modern stucco work sets Wat Pariwat apart from other temples.
In Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, there is a special temple that features a statue of footballer David Beckham in its shrine.
According to the South China Morning Post, the temple is perhaps best known for the statues of cartoon characters, comic book characters, and Western superheroes that appear there. These include Master Roshi from the Japanese manga Dragon Ball, whose statue adorns the temple walls. A statue of Luffy "Straw Hat," a main character from the popular Japanese manga One Piece, is also present. The temple also features statues of Mickey Mouse from Disney and Pinocchio from the Italian writer Carlo Collodi. On the walls of Wat Pariwat, there are also statues of Superman, a famous fictional superhero from the DC Comics comic book series of the same name, and Spider-Man.
Moreover, this temple also features images of other interesting cartoon characters.
This temple is also known as the "David Beckham Temple" because it houses a 30cm tall, gold-plated statue of the famous footballer located right beneath the pedestal of the Buddha statue in the main hall. The statue has been there since 1998, when David Beckham played for Manchester United and won three titles with the club in a single season.
No one would have expected to find such a humorous statue in a temple.
However, visitors should note that these modern statues are not intended for worship; local monks created this temple to spark the imagination of the younger generation. It's a destination for visitors of all ages, especially families with young children and bloggers. Despite its eccentric appearance, Wat Pariwat remains a sacred site, serving locals more than foreign tourists. One important note is that you must dress respectfully and appropriately when visiting.
A repository of popular culture
In reality, this temple is a synthesis of modern art, Buddhism, and traditional Thai art. Many sources suggest that the statues of these strange figures were added to decorate the temple with the intention of bringing good fortune and protecting Buddhism.
Contemporary elements are blended into the temple's architecture, creating the unique and somewhat unusual character of Wat Pariwat.
But the reason why these unusual statues give Wat Pariwat its unique character and attract tourists to visit and worship is more convincing. "I really like these unique statues because they make everyone, including children, want to visit the temple more," Thitima Munmai, a tourist, told Reuters.
Despite its eccentric appearance, Wat Pariwat remains a sacred site, serving local people rather than foreign tourists.
Although the temple has a "youthful" and modern feel, you must dress respectfully and appropriately when visiting.
Wat Pariwat is an incredibly special place within Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, considered a jewel in the heart of Bangkok. Many unique modern characters from cartoons and action movies, as well as influential figures from history across Asia and Europe, East and West, are gathered here. Therefore, many tourists visiting Bangkok make a concerted effort to visit this temple.
The temple is located at 2-67 Rama III Street, near the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. To get to the "David Beckham Temple," visitors can take the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) (15 baht fare) to the Chong Nonsi stop and then cross the bridge, or take a taxi from the city center to the temple, which costs approximately 80-150 baht.
