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SculpturePhra Buddha mahaloka phinantha patima
Phra Buddha mahaloka phinantha patima has a unique form of Buddha image that created in the reign of King Rama III, that is slim body, quite round, semi-oval face, small knot hair, flame halo, bent eyebrows, almond-eyed, curves mouth curves almost straight, puppet face, Urna supports the halo, squat in Subduing Mara pose, equal four fingers and wear oblique robe without streak.
ArchitecturePhra Maha Chedi Phakdi Prakat
Phra Maha Chedi Phakdi Prakat is located on the hill close to Ban Krut Beach in Wat Tang Sai, Bang Saphan, Prachuap Khiri Khan. The Chedi is the 5-floor building decorated with Nine bell-shaped spires.Each floor of the Chedi consists of the following elements; The 1st floor is used as the rain catchment with many gutters link to the floor. The 2nd floor is the multi-purpose hall that can be used to house people gathering in the Buddhist Holidays.The 3rd floor is the Vihara that used for the important ceremonies such as sermons, Kathin, Robe-presenting ceremony, etc. The wall of the Vihara is decorated with the painting of the 12-month Royal Customs and local customs of each regions of Thailand. The 4th floor is the Ubosot housing the Principle Buddha which is the abhāya mudrā (forgiving posture) which is the same posture with the personal Buddha of The King. The wall is decorated with the painting of story when Lord Buddha returned from the Tāvatiṃsa heaven. The windows are decorated with stained glass. There is the balcony at this floor that can see the scenery of Ban Krut beach. The 5th floor is the house of the relic of Lord Buddha which is stored on the Busabok. The floor only open to visit on Visakha Puja festival.
SculpturePhra Mahajanaka Buddha
The Buddha Image is placed on top of the plaster base in the Subduing Mara gesture. The body is covered by the the flowered yellow robe with other decorations such as the multi-tiered conical diadem crown similar to Phra Maha Phichai Mongkut featuring 3-tier of diadem, each tier is decorated with moving flowers, the ear gears, necklace, rings, armlaces, pahurats, and sandals. The face is in the calm emotion, eyes down, curvy eyebrows, little smile at the mouth. Overall, the statue reflected the art traits of Rattanakosin arts.
SculptureThe crown-topped Busabok Pulpit
The crown-topped Busabok is consist of the base, the middle part and the top part. The base is in the Singha style with additional corners with the large piece of wood in the front for the monk to get to the pulpit. The middle part is penetrated with the recessing corners (12-piece) at all four corners. The top part of Busabok has the details similar to the details of Phra Maha Pichai Mongkut (Great Crown of Victory, the Coronation crown of Thailand) featuring the 3-tier of diadem, each tier is decorated with moving flowers. Above it is the funnel.
PaintingThe paintings of Chala Bhi Chati Tale
There is the Inscription at the bottom of the pillars read;“The Buddhist Proverbs of the tale of ‘Chala Bhi Chati are explained as follow;”1. Kanha Bhi Chatiya - The ones who were born black and follow black (dark), representing their harsh upbringing with low social status and poverty which makes them follow the dark side to the evil path. 2. Kanha Bhi Chatiya - The ones who were born black but follow the white (bright) path which means the merit way of life. 3. Kanha Bhi Chatiya - The ones who were born black but determined to reach nirvana, the color of their skins is meaningless. 4. Sukka Bhi Chatiya - The ones who were born white (bright) which means they were born to the high status and wealthiness but follow the dark to evil life. 5. Sukka Bhi Chatiya - The ones who were born white and follow white path. 6. Sukka Bhi Chatiya - The ones who born white and determined to reach nirvana, the color of their skins is meaningless.The paintings of the tale of ‘Chala Bhi Chati’ or six types of humans located in the lower frame of the 6 pairs of the inner principle pillars near the Principle Buddha Image in the following order; 1st pairs: The picture of Lord Buddha receive food offerings on the ivory white background. 2nd pairs: The picture of monks and priests on the white background. 3rd pairs: The picture of Upāsaka and Upāsikā (male and female attendants( wearing white attires on the yellow background. 4th pairs: The picture of the King, Royal family, Brahmins and Elites on the red background. 5th pairs: The picture of judiciaries (judges), Prison Officers, and Inmates on the green background. 6th pairs: The picture of the hunters or poachers on the indigo blue background. When compare with the verses from Tripitaka together with the composition of the paintings, it can be assumed that the paintings are classified to be the depiction of 3 groups of humans;1. The group of people who wish to attain or will attain nirvana - The picture of Lord Buddha and disciples on the first 2 pairs. This group included those who were born and wish to attain nirvana as mentioned in the proverbs. 2. The group of people that follow the white path - The picture of Upāsaka and Upāsikā and the picture of the King, Royal family, Brahmins and Elites reflecting those who behave properly and appropriately to their social status. It should included those who were born low but wish to follow the white path to become decent. 3. The group of people who follow dark path - The picture of judiciaries (judges), Prison Officers, and Inmates and the picture of the hunters or poachers reflecting those who follow the dark path regardless of their social status.
PaintingThe Wall Painting of Wat Kong Kha Ram
The Wall Painting of the Ubosot of Wat Kongkaram has the composition that similar to the artwork in Bangkok during the reign of King Nangklao. At the back of the Principle Buddha is the Buddhist Cosmology while the opposite side of the Buddha Image is the painting of the “Defying Mara” part of Lord Buddha’s life. The Wall between the 2 windows painted with the Mahanipata Jataka (Last 10 jataka). The area above the windows is the depiction of Lord Buddha’s life. The gates were painted with the pictures the Guardians subduing Maras. The characters from Buddhist Cosmology such as Bodhisattvas, God Indra, and other devas (angels) are depicted in the traditional Thai art positions. Other human characters like slodiers and villagers are depicted in the natural realistic positions. The pictures of the palace, forts and walls are depicted realistically using the grey line to separate some parts of the story but mostly used the bush, trees, and stones as the natural partition of the story.
PaintingThe Wall Painting of The Pilgrimage to Phra Phutthabat, Saraburi
The powder color-painting depicted the Phra Phutthabat Mondop in the middle of the wall surrounding by other buildings and constructions in the temple. Under the Mondop is the depiction of people visiting the place by various methods such as by foot, by boat or by animal-drawn carriage. The people visiting Phra Phutthabat including both monks and villagers. The painting used the western-style technique of coloring with realistic shading and dimensions. Each parts used the bushes to separate them and to make the path for people to follow to the Mondop. The colors of the sky, clouds, and trees are realistic as in nature.
ArchitectureWat Chalerm Phra Kiat
The Ubosot and the Vihara both are on the rectangular bases while the walls are made of brick and mortar. The Ubosot is larger than the Vihara, surrounded by Semas in 8 directions. Both buildings are of Chinese style of architecture which was the King’s favorite style of art. The architecture style of both buildings are similar to each other with squared Sao Palai (Thai style column)decorated with lotus on the top of the pillars surrounded the building without Kan Tuay (corbel), the roof is stacked up porcelains while the flat triangular Na Ban (tympanum) reflected the Chinese influence with the flowers and leaves decoration. The frame of Na Ban is decorated with Naga’s heads.
