Photo of the week: Wooden Buddha Statue at Wat Phra Kaew in Chiang Rai, Thailand

This week’s travel photo is of the head of a carved wooden Buddha statue located in the museum of Wat Phra Kaew, in Chiang Rai, Thailand. This temple once housed the famous Emerald Buddha, and many believe that it originated from here. The museum in Wat Phra Kaew has many interesting and valuable objects, but I particularly liked this carved wooden Buddha, as it is different to the usual Buddha statues that are found throughout Thailand.

More about Wat Phra Kaew in Chiang Rai

Wat Phra Kaew in Chiang Rai is one of the city’s most revered temples and a site of deep historical and cultural significance. Originally known as Wat Pa Yia, or “Bamboo Forest Temple,” it became famous in 1434 when a lightning strike cracked open its chedi, revealing the hidden Emerald Buddha statue, Thailand’s most sacred religious icon. This unexpected discovery led to the temple’s renaming as Wat Phra Kaew, meaning “Temple of the Emerald Buddha.” Although the original Emerald Buddha was later moved to Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok, the Chiang Rai temple still holds great spiritual importance and now enshrines a beautiful jade replica of the Emerald Buddha, crafted in honor of the original. Wat Phra Kaew is nestled in lush greenery, creating a serene atmosphere that invites quiet reflection and admiration of its traditional Lanna-style architecture. With its peaceful grounds, museum, and revered Buddha images, Wat Phra Kaew in Chiang Rai offers a meaningful experience for visitors interested in Thailand’s spiritual and historical heritage.