The Gold Buddha of Wat Traimit: A Hidden History

Failed to add items

Sorry, we are unable to add the item because your shopping cart is already at capacity.

Add to basket failed.

Please try again later

Add to wishlist failed.

Please try again later

Remove from wishlist failed.

Please try again later

Adding to library failed

Please try again

Follow podcast failed

Unfollow podcast failed

The Gold Buddha of Wat Traimit: A Hidden History

Listen for free

View show details

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the remarkable story of the Golden Buddha at Wat Traimit in Bangkok. They uncover how a massive 5.5-ton solid gold statue, now a famous tourist attraction, was disguised for centuries under layers of stucco and colored glass to protect it from marauding armies and colonial looters. The conversation traces the statue's likely origins in the Sukhothai period, its secret transport and concealment during the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767, and its accidental rediscovery in 1955 when a crane accident cracked the plaster casing. Lucas and Luna discuss what this reveals about Siamese ingenuity, the physical evidence of the covering, and how the statue's hidden history mirrors Thailand's own narrative of survival through invisibility and strategic adaptation. They also delve into the broader context of Buddhist statue concealment across Southeast Asia, connecting this to episodes of colonial threats and preservation. The hosts then briefly touch on how listener support via Buy Me a Coffee helps keep the show ad-free. Finally, they reflect on what the Golden Buddha teaches us about Siam's unique path through the colonial era. #GoldenBuddha #WatTraimit #Sukhothai #Ayutthaya #Bangkok #BuddhistArt #Siam #ThailandHistory #Colonialism #Preservation #Archaeology #TheStoryofThailand #FexingoHistory #SoutheastAsia #HiddenHistory #Chakri #RamaV #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

No reviews yet