Name: Inside Thailand: From Floating Markets to Cliffside Temples
Uploaded: 2026-02-07T17:12:12.000Z
Duration: 13 min 11 s
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There are 33,000 traditional temples in Thailand.

But with its majestic white exterior, Wat Rongkhun is anything but ordinary.

The entrance is lined with ghoulish traffic cones.

arms reach up to meet you as you cross the bridge to this architecturally curious place of worship.

Wat Rong Khun's most distinguishing feature is its untraditional white color, chosen by the artist to represent purity.

The sprinkling of glass mosaics are an emblem of enlightenment, while the mirrors show off Buddha's wisdom shining through the universe.

Contrasting the white is a gold building.

The ornate restroom is covered in gold leaf, symbolizing the idea of the mind's fixation on wealth and material possessions.

While the temple is visually stunning and attracts thousands of tourists from around the world, when it was first completed, it received negative attention.

The Thai government, monks and other artists said it wasn't Thai art as it was a departure from the traditional due to the symbols embracing pop culture found throughout the grounds.

Despite that, the building stands defiantly as an emblem of Thai art for a modern world.

Floating markets have been at the center of communities in Thailand for hundreds of years.

They were originally built along canals and rivers at a time when water transport played an important role in daily life.

One of the most popular in Thailand is the mpawa floating market, 45 miles from Bangkok.

It stretches 30 miles along a canal on the Meklong river, and

today hundreds of vendors use the Mpawa Floating market to sell and cook a wide variety of delicious Thai dishes.

In Thailand, There are over 40,000 Buddhist temples, but there's only one that looks quite like this.

Completed in 2004, Wat Plai Lam is a collection of temples and statues located on Koh Samui, Thailand's second largest island.

These are active temples and a tranquil place where quiet reflection is encouraged and appropriate attire is a must.

One of the most eye catching figures is the statue of the Buddha, which is 30 meters high and painted in bright red, white and gold.

The main statue at Wat Plai Laem is the Buddhist goddess of compassion and mercy, Guanyin.

Here she's represented with 18 arms, which shows her ability to help many people in need at once.

The temple is surrounded by a lake filled with hungry fish.

Visitors who make a donation to the temple are given a bag of fish food.

People also buy fish and turtles at the local food market and release them into the lake.

Buddhists consider it an act of spiritual merit and the fish and turtles do too.

This is Thailand's Mi Klong Market, About an hour south of Bangkok.

Every day, beginning at 6:20 in the morning, a train runs through Maeklong Railway Market, one of the largest produce and seafood markets in Thailand.

Through the stalls selling fruit, ice cream, fish, through everything.

And if you're wondering which came first, the market or the train, the answer is the market.

The Maek Long Railway built a commuter train to Bangkok back in 1905.

The track they laid ran right through the middle of this market, which had been around for decades.

Rather than moving, the vendors stayed put, adjusting their business to the train times.

This system has been perfected over the years with produce just inches from the train's wheels.

Tourists and vendors wait as the train passes through.

Or at least as normal as an active train line market can be.

Pink towers and giant dragons Sounds like a scene from a fairy tale.

In the Sampran district sits one of Thailand's most unique temples.

Wat Sambran is a pink shrine dedicated to the Buddhist faith and measures 260ft or 80 meters high, representing the age of Buddha when he died.

While the temple is known for the giant encircling dragon, its meaning remains a mystery.

Bhavanobuddo, the founder of the temple, was inspired to create the Hollow Dragon building during a seven day fasting meditation.

Visitors can climb the stairs of the 17 story temple to touch the dragon's beard.

Or they can climb inside the belly of the beast.

This temple is a must visit for people looking to discover something truly one of a kind.

We all know that everything tastes better deep fried, but

what if I told you that in Thailand the same goes for flowers?

Eating flowers goes back generations to when other foods were scarce and today can be found in both luxury restaurants and street vendors alike.

One such island where you can find these crispy beauties is Go Kret, just outside Bangkok.

Tibullor Hide off my Tor Boonrod has been selling fried flowers in kolkret for over 10 years.

The flowers she sells are harvested from her very own garden as well as those of her neighbors.

Some of the flowers you can find in Bunrat's shop are butterfly, pea, bougainvillea and iksora.

At 73 years old, Boonrod is the oldest vendor selling fried flowers on the island.

But she isn't protective of her original recipe.

And also because Boonrad knows her fried flowers are just plain delicious.

In North Central Thailand, nestled amongst lush green mountaintops sits five striking white Buddhas and mosaics that glitter against the landscape.

Located a five hour drive north of Bangkok is Wat Phor Nku, also known as Temple of the Glass Cliff.

This relatively new structure was completed in 2004 and named an official temple in 2010.

The temple features five Buddhas, all in meditation pose and descending in size much like a Russian doll.

They represent the five Buddhas who visited the earth according to Hindu tradition.

In addition to the Buddhas, this modern structure also includes a five level pagoda shaped like lotus flower.

The surrounding surfaces are covered with around 5 million mosaic tiles, stones and pottery, all in vibrant colors.

The site is remote and only accessible by private car or tour.

But the journey to this peaceful, colorful, modern oasis is well worth the journey.

Made entirely of wood without a single nail, the Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya, Thailand is a modern day marvel.

This religious shrine has been under construction since 1981 and it isn't scheduled to be completed anytime soon.

It was commissioned by a Thai millionaire who spent his fortune on projects like this.

He wanted to keep ancient woodbuilding techniques alive.

The building towers 375ft and looks out over the coast.

Its four wings are dedicated to Thai, Cambodian, Chinese and Indian iconography.

A team of 250 woodcarvers have created ornate images of religious and philosophical significance throughout the structure.

The Sanctuary of Truth is considered an art installation, religious shrine and cultural monument all in one.

Although the Creator has passed away and won't have an opportunity to see his celestial masterpiece completed, the work continues according to his specific plans.

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Inside Thailand: From Floating Markets to Cliffside Temples

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