What Wat is What?

What is a “Wat”?

A Wat is the name for a temple monastery in Thailand, Cambodia and Laos, and there are literally hundreds of them throughout these three countries.

Some are very simple and humble, while others are elaborate and grandiose.

Some are new, while others have been around for centuries.

Some you’ve never heard of, while others are iconic and known around the world.

For instance, there’s Wat Phra Mahathat in Ayuthaya, Thailand.

It’s a Buddhist temple and was built in the former capital of Thailand. Historically it’s known for containing one of the first Khmer-style praang (or stupas) built in the capital, but it’s most famous for this Buddha head, which has been engulfed by the tree root.


Then there’s Wat Si Saket in Vientiane, Laos.

It’s a Buddhist temple and was built in 1818 by King Anouvong (Chao Anou). It’s the oldest temple in Vientiane and is famous for its small niches which contain over 2000 silver & ceramic Buddha images and over 300 seated Buddhas made of wood, stone & bronze. Most of these are from the 16th-19th century Vientiane but some come from 15th-16th century Luang Prabang.


And finally, there’s the mother of all Wats… Angkor Wat, near Siem Reap, Cambodia.


It’s a Hindu temple and is the largest religious building in the world. It was built between the years 1112-1152 by Suryavarman II to honour the Hindu god Vishnu. Its central tower rises 55m above ground and is surrounded by 800m long bas-reliefs depicting “Churning of the Ocean of Milk”. These reliefs contain 88 asura (demons) and 92 deva (gods). Angkor Wat is part of a series of hundreds of temples that represented an empire stretching from Myanmar (Burma) to Vietnam. It is the heart & soul of the Kingdom of Cambodia and is featured on everything from the Cambodian currency to their national brand of beer.

Of course, then we have this Wat, which is located in Chiang Mai, Thailand.


As you’ll notice, it’s a Buddhist temple and seems to be very ornately decorated. There’s a large golden Buddha near the front and a well-tended garden surrounding the main worshipping area.

But wait a second… what is that near the bottom of the picture?


Is that a statue of Donald Duck?


Why yes, yes it is… how about that?

Now I’m not sure of the name of this temple, but for some reason I think there’s a good chance it might be…

Wat Disney.