5. Thailand

THAILAND

Formerly known as Siam.

PHUTTHA WAT TEMPLE COMPLEX

A Buddhist temple complex consisting of sacred and residential structures.

SANGHA WAT

The living quarters of Buddhist monks.

PUTTHAWAT

The whitewashed sacred enclosure of a temple complex.

CHEDI OR STUPA

A reliquary tower that enshrines sacred Buddhist relics.

PRANG

A pagoda characterized by a slender, delicate, and strongly vertical form.

UBOSOT OR BOT

The consecrated ordination hall where new monks take their vows.

VIHARN

The sermon hall of a Wat, open to everyone and usually the busiest building.

MONDOP

A square, open-sided pavilion with a multi-tiered pyramidal roof.

HO TRAI

The temple library that houses the sacred Tipiṭaka scriptures.

SALA

An open pavilion providing shade and a place to rest.

SALA KAN PRIAN

A large open preaching hall where lay people hear sermons and receive religious education.

HO RAKANG

The bell tower used to wake monks and announce daily ceremonies.

SUWANNA CHEDI

A corn cob-shaped prang standing on a square or cruciform base with an entrance on one side.

PHRA RABIENG

Cloister-like galleries surrounding the Bot (Ubosot).

PAN LOM

A bargeboard covering the gable end to prevent roof tiles from falling.

CHOFAS

Bird-like roof finials symbolizing the sky, found on temple roof ridges.

HU CHANG

("Elephant ears") Highly ornamented triangular wooden pieces beneath the roof gable.

NAGA (NAK SADUNG AND MAKARA)

A mythical serpent ornament believed to have sheltered Buddha during meditation.

SUM (SUM KHONG)

An elaborate decorative arch framing a temple doorway.

SINGHA

A pair of lion guardians placed at the entrance of a Viharn.

CHIANG MAI

A region where temple architecture is often influenced by the Burmese style.

CHINTHE

The Burmese version of the Singha guardian lion.

HTI

A jeweled sacred umbrella placed at the top of a chedi.

CHAT

A Burmese-style sacred filigree parasol installed at the corners surrounding a chedi.

SALA GAN PARIAN

An open-sided pavilion or preaching hall.

KUTI

A residential building containing small rooms for monks.

THE GRAND PALACE

Thailand's royal palace complex in Bangkok.

CHAKRI MAHA PRASAT HALL

A hall in the Grand Palace built by King Chulalongkorn for receiving foreign ambassadors.

KALAE (GALAE)

A decorative carved roof element symbolizing buffalo horns.