Chonburi - Wat Intharam

Wat Intharam, near the old market in the center of town, dates from the late Ayutthaya period and was built under King Taksin, whose statue stands by the entrance. The temple underwent restoration several times in the Rattanakosin (Bangkok) period and has almost completely lost its original appearance, although it is still worth looking at the stucco figures on the roof and the china mosaics on the window arches. The interior of the bot has some very fine frescos, in early Bangkok style, of divinities and scenes from the life of the Buddha, as well as a great number of statues of Buddha, some of them quite rare. The courtyard of the wat is where the festivities take place that mark the great Chonburi buffalo races held every October, attracting thousands of visitors to the town.