Situated in Koh Samui, the Wat Plai Laem Buddhist temple, also referred to as Wat Laem Suan Naram is located on the north-east coast and has a lot to offer its guests. There are many attractions to see here including the man-made lake the runs alongside the temple. The main attraction at the Wat Plai Laem temple is the three enormous statues of Buddha. If you do get the time to come here, venture further in to the temple and see the Hindu style Buddha statue, which is also known as the Guanyin that has 18 arms. Next to this amazing depiction find the enchanting murals painted on the walls that tell stories of Buddhist mythology.
The other famous attraction here is the statue of the fat Chinese Buddha. It is a laughing statue that is said to depict wealth and prosperity and it reaches a height of 30 meters. Painted in gold, red and white this statuette is sure to grab hold of your attention. Offering visitors an insight into Chinese-Thai beliefs, the Wat Plai Laem is in close proximity to the Big Buddha temple. The Wat Plai Laem temple that has enchanting Buddhist style architecture and art also features the statues of the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion. It is often quoted that one of the highlights of this visit is to see the murals painted on the walls, which draws its viewers to take a seat and observe. This temple is also frequented on a daily basis by those who want to pay homage to the Lord Buddha and Guanyin. Though relatively new this temple has some age-old art techniques that surround the place and its ambience is evident as one enters this glorious place.
Common activities involving the man-made lake are feeding the fish, an act done mainly by the young ones. When staying in the area, look for a Samui hotel which will complement your stay. Even a Samui resort such as the Anantara Bophut Koh Samui is the perfect destination. Other activities that you might consider doing would be releasing fish or turtles into the lake after buying them from the market. This is considered as an act of merit.
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry. Google+
