On a recent visit to Ayutthaya I called in at the intriguing Wat Niwet Thammaprawat.

Built during the reign of Thailand’s King Chulalongkorn Rama V (1853 – 1910), Wat Niwet Thammaprawat is one of the country’s most surprising temples. From the outside, the building looks like a Gothic Christian church and there are few clues revealing that it is actually a Thai Buddhist temple.

Inside, the ornate décor continues the Christian style but with Buddhist imagery. The colourful stained glass windows include an image of King Chulalongkorn in royal attire.

For visitors who enter the beautiful temple it is a strange experience that plays with preconceived notions of religious imagery and its context.

The way of reaching the temple is equally unique. It is located on an island in the Chao Phraya River which is spanned by a small trolley-like cable car. Ring a bell and monks will bring you across. A visit to Wat Niwet Thammaprawat can also be tied in with a trip to Bang Pa-In Palace which lies on the opposite bank.