I thought it was time to have a religious input on the blog site considering over 90% of Thais are Buddhist and celebrate their religion on a regular basis. A "Wat" means a collection of buildings in an enclosed area, usually religious buildings. Wat Chalong is the most important temple on the island of Phuket and is just "up road" from our school. The buildings are very ornate and colourful and are visited by many farangues as well as Thais.


                                                                             


     The interior of the temple buildings are also very different from churches as we know them back home. Families visit the temples whenever they wish to and make their offerings. There are no set times for services or prayers. So, there is no need for numerous rows of pews for everyone to sit on! Much of the floor space is taken up with statues if Buddha in various traditional poses. (I'm not sure how many there are.) The interior walls are also colourful with murals of Buddha's life painted on them.



     Sunday seems to be a popular day for families to visit the temples together.They buy flowers and candles outside and make their offerings as they walk inside (taking their shoes off as they enter). Inside, there's respect for the temple but also a friendliness. Everyone is welcome providing they are dressed in a suitable manner and remove footwear. 
     The most important building on the site is three stories high and is said to contain an actual relic of Buddha. 



This may look like it, but it is not the relic!  On the site there are numerous stalls selling religious items and souvenirs. There is also the usual assembly of Thai food stalls!