Many are lavishly adorned with gold, porcelain and huge images of Buddha. The soaring, wing-shaped roofs reaching toward the heavens in traditional Thai style, and curving pagodas, display a blend of medieval Asian ingenuity and the essence of fairy tales. A Thai temple is actually a compound of buildings where Thais gather for festivals, fairs, weddings and funerals. Often, an elementary school shares the site. Locals assemble in one of the lecture halls within the compound to meditate or receive instruction on Buddhist principles.
Monks live on the premises.
In Thailand, male citizens are expected to serve at least three months as a monk, and the majority fulfill this requirement before turning 20. Although most young men depart the monastery after the 90 days, some remain for years or a lifetime. I leave the sanctuary to explore the temple grounds. At the entrance, a woman is selling caged birds. The buyer is supposedly blessed by setting the bird free.