Wat Huay Pla Kang Chiang Rai North Thailand

Wat Huay Pla Kang, Chiang Rai, or Wat Huai Pla Klang as it’s sometimes spelt, is a temple complex containing a big Buddha statue (known as Big Buddha Chiang Rai). It’s a 9 floor pagoda and a beautiful white temple, about 5 miles North of Chiang Rai City centre. The scale of this temple is massive!

This temple is mistakenly referred to as the Chiang Rai Big Buddha because it is actually a representation of Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. Guan Yin is a female Bodhisattva in Thai Buddhism, which means someone that reached enlightenment (Nirvana or extinguishing of the flame of Dukkha or suffering) during their lifetime and continued to help others. Guan Yin is a compassionate being who responds to people who cry out for help