Bells, Wat Khao Suwanpradit—Surat Thani, Thailand. - Bells on Waymarking.com

Wat Khao Suwanpradit is an important wat in southern Thailand, and in Thailand as a whole. It houses a number of Buddhist relics, preserved inside a stupa atop a small hill. The wat was also sponsored by a popular member of the extended Thai Royal family, Princess Wiphawadee Rangsit.

The stupa containing the relics can reached by climbing a goodly number of steps or via road. The stupa itself is a sight worth seeing (in gallery). Bells, around the hill top is a low wall, and following the wall are lines of bells. Bells to be rung by visitors to the stupa—though of course a small donation is always appreciated.

These bells are gold in colour. This is the first time I have seen wat bells painted gold (assuming that it is paint, I suspect a gold bell would not ring that well). The only explanation that comes to mind is a link to the royal patronage of the wat, possibly the gold reflects this close relationship. Another point, most of the bells are of the 'standard' design of Buddhist wats, however, a few are of a simpler design, a design I saw in another wat in the same province, Wat Phra Borommathat (wm: WMBDP2). No idea why, possibly homage to this other wat, which also houses Buddhist relics.

The wat is located ~60kms to the east of the provincial capital, near Don Sak, the embarkation point for the resort island of Koh Samui. The wat is open to the public, though there is little English spoken here. The view from the hilltop is impressive.

Recent Visits/Logs:

There are no logs for this waymark yet.