About this Place Of Interest

Main Photograph: Pixabay/ 2014 [1]. Wat Traimit Wittayaram (formerly known as Wat Sam Chin Tai) is located on Charoen Krung Road in Bangkok and at the eastern edge of Chinatown. The main attraction of this ancient temple is the Phra Maha Mondop, a “four storey Thai style pavilion” [2] that houses the world’s largest gold seated Buddha statue. The Phra Maha Mondop was built within the compound of Wat Traimit Wittayaram to commemorate the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s (also known as Rama IX) 80th birthday celebration. The 700 year old Buddha statue, officially name Phra Phuttha Maha Suwan Patimakom, is made of solid gold. It is five metres in height and weighs 5,500kg. It is estimated to be US$250mil [3]. Although there is no record showing when the statue was discovered, records revealed that not many knew that the statue was actually made of solid gold until it fell while being moved around. It was then that “the plaster covering cracked revealing a hint of the beautiful solid gold Sukhothai Buddha that was within” [4].

About this Learning Experience

Main Photograph: Pixabay/ 2014 [1]. In this Learning Experience, you will learn how certain rocks are preferred over the others because they are associated with prestige architecture and interior design. You will also learn how the prosperity of ancient kingdoms was often reflected in the types of mined materials chosen to create sacred statues. This Learning Experience is suitable for learners Year 1 to Year 3. Note: The reflection phase will take place under Point B.

Syllabus Content

• Human geography in relation to: the use of natural resources.
• Understand how human interact to influence, change landscapes, environments and the climate and how human activity relies on effective functioning of natural systems.

Resources Needed

Power Bank Earphones