Page 25 - Asia 2021 Catalog

Wat Rong Khun is a Buddhist temple located at the southern end of the city of Chiang Rai in northwest
Thailand. This temple is privately owned and its construction only
began twenty years ago. However, it quickly became famous for its
unique style and distinctive white color and is commonly known as
the White Temple.
Until the turn of the 20th century, the previous Wat Rong Khun
structure was nearly in ruins and in need of major repairs. There are
not many documents on the old temple, and although restoration
work has begun, it could not be completed due to lack of funding.
An artist from Chiang Rai, Chalermchai Kositpipat, decided to
completely rebuild the temple and personally finance the project.
Construction began in 1997 and still continues. The temple was
damaged in a 2014 earthquake, after which it was closed until it was declared safe by a team of engineers.
The end date of the project is uncertain. However, a pagoda, a monastery and several other halls are part
of the project of what will be a much larger complex. A small museum dedicated to Kositpipat's work is
located next to the temple.

The Black House Museum

Il Baan Dam Museum, more commonly known as "The Black House", it is a very distinctive creation by
the eccentric Thai artist Thawan Duchanee. Partly an art studio, part
museum and part house, Baan Dam is a blend of traditional North
Thai style buildings with others with a modern and grotesque design.
Ban Dam provokes a combination of thoughts between the dark, the
surreal and the amused. It can be said that some of the works and
themes represented will not please everyone. Definitely not a place
for animal lovers. The Black House is not a single structure, but a
collection of forty buildings of various sizes and shapes, set in a
peaceful garden.
The larger building is located near the main entrance and sets the
tone for what the visitor would expect when visiting the rest of the site. Traditional and elegant on the outside;
with its tiered roof and stylized nagas it resembles a Buddhist temple; the use of honey colored teak is very
beautiful and the carved portals which are works of art alone are remarkable.

Karen Lady Long Neck Village
Visiting one of the many Karen Long Neck villages in Thailand is one of the most exotic experiences on the
planet. The mystery and beauty that rings in the tradition of using brass
rings for exaggerated jewelry is something better seen in person than
in a book. It's a real-life National Geographic Magazine experience you
have to see to believe.
Karen are a tribal group that historically lived in the hills on the
Myanmar (formerly Burma) side of the Thai border. Best recognized
for their elongated neck, Karen women wear heavy brass rings around
their necks, forearms, and
shins. While Karen men are
primarily field workers and
farmers, the women have a rich history of craftsmanship from
woodworking to weaving. Overall, Long-necked Tribes live a robust,
boring and simple lifestyle, but the fruits of their labor are colorful and
very vibrant.
There are still around 40,000 Karen members today, but thousands
have had to flee Burma over the decades due to political unrest.
Escaping to Thailand has been a very safe choice for many, but those
who have arrived are largely illegal immigrants and have no options for obtaining Thai citizenship. While

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