Tall, golden spires, stone and gold statues, jewel-encrusted idols, and intricate carvings – these are the usual characteristics of a Thai temple. But what if we tell you that there’s a temple in Thailand that has statues of Pikachu and Mickey Mouse and David Beckham? Before you think this is pure clickbait, let us tell you that there is an actual Buddhist temple in Bangkok that has statues and carvings of many pop culture characters and elements on its temple walls and galleries. We’re talking about the Wat Pariwat Temple, better known across the globe as the David Beckham Temple or Cartoon Temple!
Wat Pariwat Temple: The Temple Of Global Pop Culture
From the outside, the Wat Pariwat Temple facade looks like any Thai temple in the country. But a closer inspection of the temple walls and pillars reveals that the symbols, statues, and elements lined up on them are not of mere Thai gods but also pop culture icons. As bizarre as it may sound, it is actually true!
The temple complex was built sometime between the late Ayutthaya period (1351 to 1767) and the early years of the Rattanakosin era (1782 to 1932). The shrine fell into disrepair but restoration efforts started in 2008. One of the main buildings is still under restoration and is expected to be completed in 2028. While it is has earned its spot in every “best quirky temples in Bangkok” listicle, it is very much a temple of worship and revered by locals.
How The Wat Pariwat Temple Turned Viral On The Indian Internet
The temple came into the spotlight recently when travelers shared videos of the temple’s rather unusual statues and elements via social media. Indian travel content creator by the username @gaurav_uncut shared a short video of his visit to the temple and showed the intricate, layered, and unusual mix of traditional and pop culture elements in the temple. The reel went viral, with many users flocking in the comments to ask for location details of the temple.
With more and more Indians visiting Thailand each year, it is no doubt that Indian travelers are always on the lookout for exciting additions to their Thailand itinerary. The now-viral Wat Pariwat Temple will definitely attract more Indian visitors in the near future.
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What Makes The Wat Pariwat Temple So Unique?
The temple, located along the scenic Chao Phraya River, is most notably known for its David Beckham statue. It is place beneath the main altar in the original temple, however, the main altar is not always open to the public. You can request the temple authorities and hope for them to let you entry into this section of the temple to catch a glimpse of Beckham enshrined in a Thai temple!
Besides a David Beckham statue, the temple has ample of characters from movies, shows, and anime. We’re talking about Pikachu from Pokemon, Mickey Mouse with a peculiar chest, Batman, Superman, Spiderman, punk men, Winnie the Pooh, and even former US President Barack Obama! With all of these different elements on the temple, doesn’t it make it the most interesting (or absurd) temple in Thailand?
However, the monks here really don’t believe in the temple being just an absurd meme material or as source for a clickbait-y travel piece. They see the temple as a unique piece of cultural heritage. They religiously perform daily rituals, conduct offerings, and other traditions associated with temple upkeep. They believe the temple will show generations in the future what life was like today!
How To Reach The Wat Pariwat Temple?
The best way of reachingt the temple is to hire a Grab taxi or bike taxi. Grab, for those unversed, is an ride hailing platform, similar to Ola and Uber. You can put the temple location on the app and select a ride to reach the destination. It is both convenient and cheap and is better for tourists who can get overwhelmed navigating Bangkok’s public transport system. Another option is to use the BTS Skytrain and bus numbers 205, 205 (AC), 3-51 (205L), 3-51 (205R), 4-47.
Bus stops near BRT Wat Pariwat
- BRT Wat Pariwat
- Rama 3 Soi 39
- Rong Poon
- Namsang Engineering Company
- Wat Pariwas
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Summing Up
The Wat Pariwat Temple is definitely one of the most unique places to visit in Bangkok and Thailand! With its statues dedicated to pop culture icons like Superman, Pikachu, Mickey Mouse, and more, it can be a culture shock for most tourists expecting to see traditional Thai elements on its pillars and walls. However, the temple makes a bold statement by infusing elements of pop culture – showing how everyday culture can blend into traditions and create an experience that’s truly one-of
