Artist Chalermchai Kositpipat started work on the White Temple in 1997 and has so far spent THB40 million of his own money on the project -- and it is still in a state of ongoing construction. He re-imagines Thai art for the modern world through his surreal vision of Buddhist teachings. The use of white in the temple symbolizes the purity of Lord Buddha and mirrors embedded in the structure reflect light, representing the Buddha’s wisdom shining out across the Earth and the Universe. The exception is his choice of gold for the restroom to indicate worldliness, resulting in the most luxurious toilet in the kingdom. 

Superheroes, movie stars and cartoons, which include Superman, Spiderman, Michael Jackson and Harry Potter, are found in temple murals depicting traditional Buddhist motifs. Fantastical sculptures and architecture cover the landscape.  Every detail of Wat Rong Khun carries deep religious symbolism as most of the temple’s messages refer to escaping desire, greed and passion and moving toward the sublime through Buddhist teachings.

The complex was damaged by the May 2014 earthquake and was closed for a short period of time for repairs.