Thailand Film Locations

Buddhist temples in Thailand are located in temple compounds (otherwise known as 'wat') and consists of a number of buildings with different architecture, function and importance. Most temples will be in 'contemporary' or Rattanakosin style, but on the tourist trail and when visiting well reknown wats, you will find different architecture, related to the historical period when the temple compounds were built.

​

There is a whole science involved in describing the different cultural, religious and architectural aspects of different temples and Buddha images, which goes behind the scope of this summary. 

 

To the layman, the structures inside a temple compound may all look 'similar', but just a little bit of information will allow you to name and localize the different constituent parts.

 

​

Important structures include : 

Bot (Ubosot) or ordination hall
Viharn (wiharn, vihan) or sermon hall
Chedi (stupa, pagoda) with relics of the Buddha
Prang (Khmer or Ayutthays style) 
Sala or open-sided pavillion
Mondop
Sima or boundary stone 
Naga
Chofa(h)
Kuti or monk quarters