Phra Pathom Chedi

Phra Pathom Chedi
Phra Pathom Chedi
Phra Pathom Chedi

Phra Pathom Chedi, meaning the 'First Stupa', is not only the tallest stupa in the world but also an incredible construction with an intriguing story. An impressive 127 metres tall from base to tip, this fantastic edifice stands on the site where Buddhism was first introduced into Thailand two thousand years ago.

The original structure was first mentioned in Buddhist scriptures in the year 675, but archaeological discoveries found traces of it all the way back to the 4th century. During the 11th century a khmer style 'Prang' was built on top of it, Prang being similar in style to the famous Angkor Wat near the city of Siem Reap in Cambodia. The temple was later abandoned and jungle took possession of it. Much later in the 19th century, King Mongkut visited the remains of the temple and ordered the construction of a gigantic chedi which was completed in 1870, 17 years after work began. In 1898 the population of the nearby Nakhon Chaisi was ordered to move to the new town called Nakhon Pathom.

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